Fisherman with Sou'wester, head 1883

Curator: We’re looking now at “Fisherman with Sou'wester, head,” a charcoal and pencil drawing Van Gogh created in 1883. Editor: Whoa, the first thing that strikes me is the raw intensity. You can practically feel the wind and sea etched onto that face. There’s such a weightiness, a life worn hard. Curator: Absolutely. Van Gogh was deeply interested in depicting the lives of working people. At this time, he was in the Netherlands, and the lives of the peasants and fishermen really resonated with him, becoming subjects of his art. Editor: I notice, also, a stark, almost brutal realism in the lines – every wrinkle, every shadow is exaggerated. The sou'wester seems to trap the face, forcing us to confront the gaze. He does not look comfortable. Curator: That rawness is partly a result of his technique. Van Gogh was largely self-taught at this stage and was still honing his skills. There's an honesty to that struggle. But also consider how art institutions dictated value; portraying rural people this directly was Van Gogh’s conscious move. Editor: It makes me think about how Van Gogh later moved away from realism, embracing those swirls of color and light, and the fact he focused more on emotions rather than the gritty realities of a person's lived conditions. But the passion here is palpable; in its directness. Curator: Indeed. I feel this early piece gives us insight into his evolving approach, like he's testing the limits of what charcoal can express, probing for the truth beneath the surface. Editor: The portrait offers not only a social statement, which, as you highlighted, was certainly influenced by institutions and values that promoted social class. This is also an existential meditation on survival and time, rendered through shadow and line. He has endured; a life hard-earned. Curator: And one beautifully observed, even in its somber mood. It's a testament to Van Gogh’s evolving vision, already full of empathy, even with the blunt lines. Editor: Definitely an unforgettable rendering. This simple, strong drawing leaves a quiet storm swirling within me.