The artwork titled “Woman near a Window twice, Man with Winnow, Sower, and Woman with Broom,” created by Vincent van Gogh in 1881, is a notable piece within the Post-Impressionism movement. This composition falls under the genre of sketch and study, offering insight into van Gogh’s meticulous and contemplative artistic process.
The artwork presents a cohesive collection of five distinct studies, each rendered in charcoal or dark pencil on paper. In the upper portion, two similar scenes depict a woman seated near a window, possibly engaging in a contemplative moment. These figures exhibit static postures and are enveloped in a shadowy ambiance that suggests introspectiveness. Beneath them, the composition broadens to depict a man handling a winnow, captured in motion, evoking the rural and laborious themes often explored by van Gogh. Adjacent to this figure, another woman, holding a broom, signifies the everyday, utilitarian activities of rural life. The central focal point of the artwork is a sower standing prominently in the foreground, characterized by heavy, deliberate strokes that emphasize his laborious posture and attire. Each figure within the artwork exudes a sense of realism and groundedness, characteristic of van Gogh’s early explorations of workers and their environments.
