Head of a Fisherman with a Sou'wester 1883

Vincent van Gogh rendered this drawing, Head of a Fisherman with a Sou'wester, with chalk and graphite. It is not oil on canvas as we might expect of Van Gogh, but it provides insight into his mastery of humble materials. The rough strokes of chalk beautifully convey the textures of the fisherman's weathered face and clothing, highlighting the dignity of labor, even when the process is conveyed with simple tools. Van Gogh made the artwork from the ground up, focusing on the fisherman’s rugged features, using the chalk to sculpt shadows and depth. The choice of material emphasizes a direct connection between the artist and the subject, capturing the essence of hard work and the realities of working class life. This drawing blurs the line between fine art and craft by using everyday materials to capture the true essence of his subject, which is the depiction of labour.