A Woman with a Spade, Seen From Behind
1885 Art Gallery of Ontario
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts a peasant woman from behind, engaged in agricultural labor with a spade in a field. It is an example of Van Gogh's early work, characterized by dark, earthy tones and a focus on the lives of Dutch working-class people.
Did you know?
During his early Dutch period, Van Gogh was deeply empathetic towards the rural working class, often depicting their strenuous lives with a raw honesty. This painting, created before his move to France and the vibrant colors he's most known for, reflects his initial dedication to portraying the dignity of manual labor and the somber reality of peasant existence, heavily influenced by artists like Jean-François Millet.
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A Woman with a Spade, Seen From Behind
Vincent van Gogh, 1885
