Portrait of a Peasant (Patience Escalier). Vincent van Gogh. Van Gogh - Bildnis Patience Escalier1.jpeg (source). Public domain — PD-Art.
Portrait of a Peasant (Patience Escalier)
Vincent van Gogh · 1888, August
- Catalog
- F443
- Date
- 1888, August
- Place painted
- Arles
- Museum
- Norton Simon Museum
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
About the painting
Painted in Arles, Van Gogh’s Portrait of a Peasant (Patience Escalier) is a powerful tribute to the working people he admired. Patience Escalier, an old shepherd, is depicted with a face etched by sun and toil, his features rendered with Van Gogh's characteristic bold outlines and thick impasto. The artist sought to capture the "eternal peasant," a figure embodying resilience and dignity. The vibrant, almost abstract background of swirling blues and greens contrasts sharply with the earthy tones of Escalier's face, yet it also seems to eman emanate from his very being, reflecting Van Gogh's belief in the profound connection between man and nature. This portrait is a testament to Van Gogh's deep empathy and his ability to convey profound character through his expressive brushwork.
Collection: Norton Simon Museum. Whether it is currently on view should be confirmed with the museum before visiting.
Research note: this entry is based on an evolving catalog. Dates, attribution, location and visitor information should be verified against the institution’s current records.