Vincent van Gogh

Dutch, 1853–1890

Tête de paysanne à la coiffe blanche, ca. 1884

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Medium: Paintings, Oil on canvas laid down on panel
Size: 19.63 x 17 x 2.63 in. (49.9 x 43.2 x 6.7 cm.)

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M.S. Rau

New Orleans / Aspen

About this Artwork

Size Notes: Canvas: 13 1/4" high by 10 1/4" wide
Frame: 19 5/8" high by 17" wide by 2 5/8" deep
Movement: Modern Art
Provenance: Provenance:
Col. C. Mouwen Jr., Breda, The Netherlands
Galerie d’Art Oldenzeel, Rotterdam
H. van Ogtrop-van Kempen, Aalst, The Netherlands (acquired by 1929)
Mrs. H. van Ogtrop-van Kempen, Aalst, The Netherlands (by descent from the above)
E.J. van Wisselingh, Amsterdam
Private Collection, Spain
Sotheby’s, London, 30 June 1981, lot 27a
Piccadilly Gallery, London
Landau Fine Art, Montreal
Private Collection, Midwest, 1998
Sotheby’s New York, 7 May 2014, lot 45
Private Collection
M.S. Rau, New Orleans
Exhibitions: Exhibited:
Rotterdam, Galerie d’Art, Oldenzeel, Vincent van Gogh, 1903
Literature: Literature:
Jacob Baart de la Faille, L’Oeuvre de Vincent van Gogh, vol. II, pt. I, Paris, 1928, no. 74, illustrated p. XXII
Walther Vanbeselaere, De Hollandsche periode in het werk van Vincent van Gogh, Amsterdam & Antwerp, 1937, no. 146, listed pp. 290 & 415
Jacob Baart de la Faille, Vincent van Gogh, Paris, 1939, no. 145, illustrated p. 126
The Complete Letters of Vincent van Gogh, vol. II, New York, 1959, letter nos. 390, 394, & 395, pp. 341-43 & 348-51
Jacob Baart de la Faille, The Works of Vincent van Gogh, London, 1970, no. 146, illustrated p. 91
Paolo Lecaldano, Tout l’oeuvre peint de Van Gogh, Paris, 1971, no. 127
Paolo Lecaldano, L’Opera pittorica completa di van Gogh e i suoi nessi grafici, Milan, 1977, no. 127, illustrated p. 101
Jan Hulsker, The Complete Van Gogh, Oxford, 1980, no. 551, illustrated p. 127
Ingo F. Walther & Rainer Metzger, Vincent Van Gogh: The Complete Paintings, vol. I, Cologne, 1990, illustrated in color p. 69

Description

Vincent van Gogh
1853-1890 | Dutch

Tête de paysanne à la coiffe blanche

Oil on canvas laid down on panel

A striking and evocative example of Vincent van Gogh’s early portraiture, Tête de paysanne à la coiffe blanche showcases the artists’ powerful ability to capture both the likeness and the essence of his sitters. Rendered in thick, deliberate brushstrokes, van Gogh paints his sitter with an unbroken forward gaze. The composition's tertiary palette conjures a dimly lit evening setting, accentuating the dramatic lighting of the subject's solemn face. The woman’s white headpiece greatly contrasts with the subject's dark and dramatic facial features, emphasizing the large pools of her emotive eyes. This bold chiaroscuro effect conveys a sense of drama, evoking a deeper emotional connection with the viewer.

This work comes from a pivotal moment in van Gogh's artistic journey. In 1883, van Gogh returned to his family's home in Nuenen begrudgingly, though the new setting soon renewed his artistic vigor and sense of purpose. Turning toward portraiture, van Gogh sought to portray the local peasants not as an outsider viewing them as a spectacle, but rather from a place of empathy. Van Gogh’s portraits rendered these locals with dignity and expressive individuality. Poignant and intimate, Tête de paysanne à la coiffe blanche immortalizes an ordinary local Nuenen woman in a deeply stirring, emotional way.

Despite experiencing familial and societal alienation, Nuenen provided van Gogh with a supportive environment to fully devote himself to his craft, unconstrained by societal norms he vehemently opposed. During this period, van Gogh immersed himself in various Dutch artistic traditions, engaging in a meaningful dialogue with his roots both physically and emotionally. His time in Nuenen is widely recognized as a critical period in his artistic development, culminating in his renowned masterpiece, The Potato Eaters, completed in 1885.

Works from van Gogh’s time in the Dutch village of Nuenen are highly sought after as they capture the crucial moment in his career, where van Gogh connected to his past, focused on the evolution of his artistic genius and created some of the most iconic works in his magnificent oeuvre. Van Gogh's Tête de paysanne à la coiffe blanche demonstrates the artist's ability to imbue his subjects with dignity and empathy, while also subtly reflecting his own inner struggles. An important work reflecting van Gogh’s profound and persistent desire to evolve, this beautiful and rare painting is exemplary of van Gogh's genius.

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam.
Circa 1884