Head of a Peasant Woman
- Artist: Vincent van Gogh
- Date: about 1884
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "Head of a Peasant Woman" painted by Vincent van Gogh. It's one of around 40 peasant portraits that Van Gogh created during his time in Nuenen, a small town in the south of the Netherlands. He arrived there in 1884 and was inspired by the local people and their way of life.
The painting shows a young woman with large dark eyes and an evenly lit face. Her features are strong, but her expression is wistful and even sad. The brushwork is less coarse than in some of Van Gogh's other works, and the colours are sombre but not overpowering.
Van Gogh was committed to authenticity in his art, as evident in this painting. He painted directly from life, observing the people around him with great attention to detail. This portrait is a wonderful example of his skill and sensitivity as an artist.
See it in person
Head of a Peasant Woman hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
