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Painting Overview:
"The Potato Peeler" is a captivating work by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1885. This painting showcases Van Gogh's ability to capture the dignity and resilience of the working class, a recurring theme throughout his career. The subject of the painting is a peasant woman, deep in concentration as she peels potatoes, her hands and face illuminated by a muted light that accentuates her toil.

Visual Description:
The woman sits at the center of the composition, her sturdy form and earthy clothing blending seamlessly with the rustic environment. Her expression is one of quiet determination, reflecting the hard but necessary work that sustains daily life. Van Gogh’s brushwork is robust and textured, emphasizing the roughness of the peasant’s skin and the humble, weathered interior around her. The tones are predominantly dark, with shades of brown and ochre, creating a somber but intimate atmosphere.

Details and Techniques:
Van Gogh employs a meticulous application of paint, using short, deliberate strokes to build the textures of the woman's clothing and the rough surfaces of the room. The lighting in the painting is subtle yet effective, drawing attention to the woman's hands and face while casting gentle shadows that enhance the three-dimensional quality of the scene. This careful use of light and shadow demonstrates Van Gogh's growing mastery of capturing the human condition with empathy and realism.

Context Within Van Gogh's Career:
"The Potato Peeler" was painted during Van Gogh’s early years in Nuenen, where he focused extensively on the lives of peasants and their labors. This period is often marked by his dedication to depicting the harsh realities of rural life. The work fits into the broader context of Van Gogh's quest to highlight the dignity and struggle of the working class, influenced by the social realism of artists like Jean-François Millet.

This painting is contemporaneous with other works such as "The Potato Eaters," which similarly aims to present an unvarnished look at rural poverty. These paintings are notable for their earth tones and somber mood, both hallmarks of Van Gogh’s Nuenen period.

Current Location:
As of the most recent records, "The Potato Peeler" is housed in the Kröller-Müller Museum in Otterlo, Netherlands. This museum holds an extensive collection of Van Gogh's works and is instrumental in preserving and showcasing his artistic evolution.

Artist Background:
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) is one of the most influential figures in Western art, known for his bold colors, dramatic brushwork, and innovative style. His career was marked by periods of intense productivity and personal struggle, producing some of the most iconic and emotionally resonant works in art history. Despite facing significant mental health challenges and financial difficulties, Van Gogh’s output was prodigious and left an indelible mark on the course of modern art.

Noteworthy Details:
- The painting is often appreciated for its empathetic portrayal of the working class, reflecting Van Gogh’s deep respect and affinity for these subjects.
- It predates his more famous, colorful works from later in his career, offering a glimpse into the artist’s developmental phases and influences.
- The use of earthy tones and the emphasis on manual labor align Van Gogh with the social realism movement, bridging the gap between 19th-century realism and 20th-century expressionism.

Through its humble subject and masterful execution, "The Potato Peeler" stands as a poignant testimony to Van Gogh’s enduring concern for the human condition and his extraordinary ability to convey it through paint.