Vincent Van Gogh painted “The Potato Eaters” in 1885. It is about 82 cm by 114
cm and is located at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. The artwork is a
unique center of Van Gogh’s early work and his most deep-seated human connection
with the common folk that he came across in the countryside of the Netherlands.
In this painting, Van Gogh depicted a group of peasants gathered around a small
wooden table under a single shining light. The figures’ faces are worn and tired,
showing the struggles of their lives. Van Gogh’s color choices are dark and muted,
lending a sense of poverty. In this painting, his brushstrokes appear vigorous, with
dense applications of paint that bring both depth and texture to the scene. The
brushstrokes increase the sensations of authenticity and realness of the peasants. His
light and shadow work emphasizes the faces and limbs of the figures, highlighting their
strength and their humanity.
The arrangement of the people makes it feel very close and relatable. The
humble scene and meal of potatoes reflect Van Gogh’s respect for the hardworking
class of people. One could argue that Van Gogh not only admires the working class but
also stands for it in the face of social injustice and recognizes the
need to understand the worth of every individual in the social structure.