Sien Nursing Baby 1882

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing, Sien Nursing Baby, using pencil. The image shows a woman, Sien, nursing her baby. Van Gogh made this drawing around 1882, in the Netherlands. At this time, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization, leading to significant social changes. Class division grew, and many people lived in poverty. Van Gogh was deeply concerned about the plight of the working class and the poor and he wanted to use his art to depict their lives with empathy and dignity. This drawing is an intimate portrayal of motherhood and poverty. Sien was a prostitute and an alcoholic and Van Gogh’s decision to depict her as a mother challenged the prevailing social norms of the time. He showed her humanity. He refused to judge her. To fully understand this drawing, one must consider the social and institutional context in which it was made. Art historical research, including letters and biographies, help us to understand the artist’s intentions and the social impact of his work.