Who painted Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman was painted by Vincent van Gogh.

Where can I see Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman is held by Kröller-Müller Museum.

What movement is Head of a Woman?

Head of a Woman is associated with Post-Impressionism.

Artwork

Head of a Woman

Vincent van Gogh

Head of a Woman is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh. It is held in the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum.

About this work

Overview

Vincent van Gogh painted the work known as Head of a Woman in 1893 using oil on canvas. The composition presents a single figure, shown from the shoulders upward, set against a subdued background. The painting is part of the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Netherlands.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait captures a woman in profile, her gaze directed downward and her mouth set in a restrained expression. She wears a dark dress and a head covering that partially obscures her features, creating a sense of modesty or introspection. The limited facial visibility invites contemplation of the sitter’s inner state rather than external narrative.

Technique & Style

Van Gogh employs vigorous, expressive brushwork to render the woman's features, imparting a dynamic quality to the otherwise static pose. Contrasting light and shadow—chiaroscuro—sculpts the figure, giving it volume against the muted backdrop. The palette is restrained, with dark tones dominating the attire and a subtle tonal field behind the sitter.

History & Provenance

Created during Van Gogh’s early Dutch period, the painting later entered the collection of the Kröller-Müller Museum, a major repository of his work. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s focus on assembling representative pieces from the artist’s formative years, offering insight into his evolving portraiture.

Context

In 1893 Van Gogh was transitioning from the somber realism of his Dutch years toward the brighter, more experimental approach that would define his later French period. This portrait, with its muted colors and emphasis on mood, exemplifies the introspective quality of his work before the explosion of color that followed.