Artwork
Head of a Woman (KM 111.262)
Head of a Woman (KM 111.262) 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’s 1893 oil painting titled Head of a Woman (KM 111.262) presents a close‑up of a female sitter. The work measures the head and shoulders, with the figure turned slightly toward her right. It is part of the collection of the Kröller‑Müller Museum in the Netherlands, where it is displayed among the artist’s later works.
Subject & Meaning
The portrait shows a woman whose face is partially obscured by a dark hood, creating a contrast between light and shadow. Her gaze meets the viewer directly, while her mouth remains neutral, inviting contemplation of inner life without overt expression. The composition emphasizes the psychological presence of the sitter rather than narrative detail.
Technique & Style
Van Gogh employs thick, impasto brushwork and a vivid palette, rendering the skin in warm, golden tones against a cooler, darker background. The use of chiaroscuro—strong contrasts of light and dark—adds volume to the facial features and draws attention to the eyes. The overall effect is expressive yet restrained, characteristic of his early portraiture.
History & Provenance
Created during van Gogh’s early Dutch period, the painting entered the Kröller‑Müller Museum’s holdings as part of the collector Helene Kröller‑Müller’s acquisitions in the mid‑20th century. It has remained in the museum’s permanent collection, contributing to the institution’s reputation for showcasing the artist’s developmental phases.
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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.
