The artwork titled “Two Boys near a Cart” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1882 in The Hague, Netherlands. Rendered in pencil on paper, the piece is a product of the Realism movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. Currently, it resides in a private collection.
In this sketch, Vincent van Gogh captures a moment of everyday life with intricate simplicity and a focus on the ordinary. The artwork depicts two boys, one of whom is much more discernible, standing near a wooden cart. The detailed lines of the pencil drawing highlight the texture and grain of the wood, while the boys appear engaged in earnest activity around the cart. The composition emphasizes the texture and movement, characteristic of Van Gogh’s early style before he moved on to his more colorful and expressive works. The setting hints at an urban environment, suggested by the brick wall in the background. This work exemplifies van Gogh’s keen observation skills and ability to convey depth and narrative even through the medium of a simple sketch.
