Head of a Peasant Woman with Dark Cap 1885

Vincent van Gogh's "Head of a Peasant Woman with Dark Cap" (1885) is a striking portrait characterized by his signature thick brushstrokes and vibrant colors. The painting depicts the head and shoulders of a peasant woman, her face turned slightly away from the viewer, in profile. The woman's face is rendered in a striking palette of ochre, burnt sienna, and pink, while the background is a contrasting dark green and black. The visible portion of her clothing is a simple white collar and a dark cap, which covers her hair. This artwork is one of many that van Gogh created during his time in the Netherlands, where he was fascinated by the lives of the working class and their simple beauty. Today, the painting can be seen at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, France.