Sketch of a Peasant Working 1890

Vincent van Gogh created this sketch of a peasant working with pen and ink on paper. The rapidly applied marks convey the impression of a figure in motion. The artist used the inherent qualities of the ink and the nib of his pen to create varying line weights, adding depth and shadow to the figure. The visible texture of the paper also plays a role, giving the sketch a raw, immediate quality. Van Gogh was deeply interested in the lives and labor of peasants. In making this sketch, he wasn't just representing a person, but also the physical exertion and social context of their work. The sketch is a potent reminder of the labor involved in food production, an arena so often overlooked in the modern world of consumption. Looking at this work through the lens of materials and making encourages us to consider how Van Gogh elevated the everyday into the realm of fine art, giving dignity to those who toiled on the land.