The artwork entitled “Woman, Sitting by the Fire, Peeling Potatoes, Sketch of a Second Figure” was created by Vincent van Gogh in 1885 in Nuenen, Netherlands. It is executed using chalk and charcoal on paper, exemplifying the Realism art movement and falls under the genre of sketch and study. This notable piece is currently housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands.
The artwork portrays a woman engaged in the domestic activity of peeling potatoes by the fire, conveying a scene of everyday life with somber realism. The woman sits on a simple stool, her attention fully absorbed in her task, as she holds a bowl in her lap, presumably containing the potatoes. The second indistinct figure on the left, shrouded in shadows, evokes a sense of mystery and depth. The fire crackling between them creates a focal point, accentuating the stark light and dark contrasts that characterize the medium of chalk and charcoal. This scene, rendered with meticulous attention to detail, reflects Van Gogh’s interest in portraying the quotidian experiences of rural life.
