Woman by a Hearth 1885

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing, "Woman by a Hearth," using graphite or charcoal on paper. This simple choice of material really influences what we see. Charcoal is a readily available material, and the gestures are quick and repetitive, reminiscent of the labor performed by the figure in the drawing. We see the woman bent over a hearth, perhaps tending to a fire or preparing a meal. Van Gogh's use of visible strokes emphasizes the physical effort involved in both making the drawing and in the woman's labor. The marks on the paper become a kind of stand-in for the unseen processes of domestic work. By focusing on the laboring classes and using accessible materials, Van Gogh blurs the lines between fine art and the everyday experiences of working people. He asks us to consider the value of both artistic and domestic labor, and how they intersect in our understanding of the world.