Artwork
Head of a Peasant Woman with White Cap
Head of a Peasant Woman with White Cap is an oil painting by the Realist artist Vincent van Gogh. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection.
About this work
Overview
Vincent van Gogh’s 1885 oil painting presents a close‑up of a peasant woman’s head. The work measures the sitter’s face turned slightly to the right, her hair concealed beneath a plain white cap and a dark shawl draped around her neck. The portrait is part of the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
Subject & Meaning
The figure is rendered with a contemplative demeanor: her eyes look downward and her brows are slightly furrowed, suggesting introspection or fatigue. The choice of a rural laborer as subject reflects van Gogh’s interest in the lives of ordinary people during his early Dutch period.
Technique & Style
Van Gogh employs a palette of earthy yellows, browns and muted greens to model the woman’s skin, set against a deep brown background that heightens the contrast with her pale complexion. The brushwork is vigorous, with visible strokes that give texture to the cap, shawl and facial features, characteristic of his developing expressive style.
History & Provenance
Created in 1885, the portrait entered the holdings of the Kunsthaus Zürich, where it remains on display. Its acquisition date and prior ownership are not recorded in the available documentation, but the work is recognized as part of van Gogh’s early oeuvre before his move to France.
Artist & collection
Artist
Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art.
