Poster - Van Gogh, Potato Eaters Katoffelesser 1885
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• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Light opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104 %
• 21 cm ×30 cm posters are A4 size
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The Potato Eaters, 1885
"The Potato Eaters" by Vincent van Gogh, a work from 1885, is one of his early works and is quite different from the more colorful and famous works for which he is known. This expressionist painting depicts a group of farmers gathering around a simple meal of potatoes.
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Themes: The painting shows five people sitting around a rustic wooden table in a poorly lit room. The four are farmers, and the fifth person is a woman, possibly the mother of the group. They are engaged in a simple, humble meal of potatoes, which were a staple diet for many people in the countryside at the time.
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Lighting and Atmosphere: The atmosphere of the painting is dark and gloomy. Van Gogh used a limited color palette dominated by earthy, gloomy tones to depict the harshness and poverty of farmers' lives. The dimly lit room is illuminated by a single light source, probably an oil lamp, which casts deep shadows on the faces and surroundings, adding to the sense of realism and seriousness of the scene.
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Representations of the figures: Van Gogh paid particular attention to the details in the faces and hands of the farmers. Their wrinkled, cracked and weathered skin reflects the harshness of their lives. The characters' faces are marked by hard work and poverty, and their expressions are stoic and thoughtful.
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Symbolism and social criticism: "The Potato Eaters" is often seen as a statement on the harsh living conditions and the daily struggle for survival of the rural population. With this painting, Van Gogh wanted to represent the dignity and authenticity of her life. It is a departure from his later, more colorful works because it shows his interest in depicting the realities of everyday life, particularly those of less privileged people.
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Influence and Style: The painting is influenced by the dark and dramatic artworks of artists such as Jean-François Millet, whose paintings often focus on rural life and the plight of rural people. Van Gogh's own evolving style is evident in the painting's powerful, heavy brushwork and rough, textured surface.
"The Potato Eaters" is of great importance in Van Gogh's work as it marks an important early phase in his artistic development. It shows his deep compassion for the working class and his desire to portray human existence in all its complexity. This painting differs greatly from his later works, which are characterized by brighter colors and a more expressive, post-impressionist style.
Blog article: Vincent van Gogh, life and artistic legacy
