Peasant Woman with a Rake (after Millet) Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

The composition presents a solitary female figure engaged in agricultural labor. She stands centrally within the frame, her posture suggesting weariness and exertion. The woman is clad in simple, muted garments – a pale dress and a white head covering that obscures much of her hair. Her face, partially shadowed, conveys an expression difficult to decipher definitively; it might be interpreted as resignation or quiet determination.
She holds a long-handled rake aloft with one hand, while the other rests on the tool’s handle. A pile of gathered hay or straw lies at her feet, indicating recent work. The background is rendered in broad strokes of blue and yellow, suggesting a field under an overcast sky. These colors are applied thickly, creating a textured surface that contributes to a sense of visual density.
The artists choice of subject matter – a rural laborer – hints at themes of toil, sustenance, and the cyclical nature of agricultural life. The woman’s isolation within the landscape evokes feelings of solitude and perhaps even hardship. Her posture and attire suggest a connection to tradition and a simple existence.
The deliberate use of impasto – the thick application of paint – adds a tactile quality to the work, emphasizing the physicality of both the labor depicted and the act of creation itself. The limited color palette reinforces the somber mood and contributes to an overall sense of austerity. There is a certain dignity in her stance despite the implied burden of her task; she embodies resilience within a demanding environment.