The artwork entitled “Woman Cutting Bread,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands, is a genre painting executed using chalk and ink on paper. This piece belongs to the Realism art movement and is currently housed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The artwork portrays a solitary woman engaged in the mundane yet intimate act of cutting bread. Positioned before a window, she is silhouetted against a backdrop of muted interior tones that evoke a sense of quiet and everyday life. The use of chalk and ink brings a rich texture and depth to the scene, emphasizing the chiaroscuro effect with sharp contrasts between light and shadow. The woman’s form is predominantly rendered in dark hues, with minimal detailing to highlight her activity and the objects around her. The space appears modest, punctuated by a simple table and chair, suggesting a humble domestic environment. The overall composition reflects van Gogh’s attention to the depiction of ordinary moments with profound sincerity and empathy.
