“Woman with White Bonnet, Sien’s Mother,” executed by the renowned artist Vincent van Gogh in the year 1883, stands as a remarkable example of Realism. Created in The Hague, Netherlands, this portrait is rendered in pencil on paper. It fits within the portrait genre and exemplifies Van Gogh’s ability to depict the essence of his subjects with profound simplicity and depth.
The artwork portrays a woman in profile view, seated and gazing contemplatively to the left. Her attire is traditional and modest, featuring a bonnet that prominently covers her head. Van Gogh’s mastery in pencil work is evident through the nuanced textures and the meticulous detailing in the folds of the woman’s garment and the bonnet. The expression on the subject’s face, though subtle, conveys a sense of quiet contemplation, contributing to the overall solemn and introspective mood of the piece. This artwork, while minimalist in its medium, showcases Van Gogh’s early proficiency in capturing human character and emotion through precise and deliberate strokes.
