Woman with a Broom Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)

The drawing presents a solitary female figure engaged in domestic labor. She stands in profile, leaning slightly forward as she grips a long-handled broom. The posture suggests both exertion and a certain stoicism; her shoulders are hunched, but her gaze is directed downwards, seemingly focused on the task at hand.
Here we see a woman dressed in simple, functional clothing – a dark jacket over a light-colored blouse and skirt. A headscarf obscures much of her hair, contributing to an overall impression of modesty and anonymity. The artist has rendered the fabric with careful attention to texture, using varied line weights to suggest folds and volume.
The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the figure’s height and perhaps conveying a sense of resilience or endurance. The broom itself acts as a central axis, drawing the eye downwards towards the floor where it rests in a disordered pile of straw or debris. This detail introduces an element of visual complexity and hints at the ongoing nature of her work – a task that is never truly finished.
The artist’s use of shading creates a palpable sense of depth and volume, particularly around the figures face and hands. The lighting appears to originate from above and slightly to the left, casting shadows that accentuate the lines of weariness etched into her features. While not overtly expressive, there is a quiet dignity in her demeanor; she embodies a certain strength derived from persistent labor.
Subtly, the drawing evokes themes of rural life, poverty, and the often-unseen contributions of women to society. The absence of any background or context further isolates the figure, directing attention solely to her physical presence and the repetitive nature of her work. It is a portrait not of an individual, but rather of a type – a representation of the working class woman whose efforts sustain a household or community.