Woman Peeling Potatoes 1880 - 1922

Jacob Simon Hendrik Kever made this painting, Woman Peeling Potatoes, using oil on canvas. The earth-toned colors create a mood of domestic tranquility, and the mark-making, which appears somewhat casual, feels very honest. You can see the strokes building up on the canvas, revealing the painting's process. I love that you can feel the materiality of the paint in this piece. It isn’t trying to hide what it is. Look at the way Kever depicts the light falling across the woman's shoulders and the child's hair. It’s as if the scene emerges from the shadows. The painting reminds me of Millet's depictions of rural life, but with a more intimate, personal feel. There is a great feeling of warmth, and of a shared connection between the woman and child.