Essential Workers

Drawing activity suitable for all ages.

A woman with a spade, seen from behind

Vincent van Gogh, A woman with a spade, seen from behind, 1885. Oil on canvas on wood panel. Overall: 41.7 x 32.3 cm. Gift of Ann and Lawrence Heisey, 1997. © Art Gallery of Ontario. 97/156.

Vincent van Gogh, A woman with a spade, seen from behind, 1885. Oil on canvas on wood panel. Overall: 41.7 x 32.3 cm. Gift of Ann and Lawrence Heisey, 1997. © Art Gallery of Ontario. 97/156.

ACTIVITY

Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous European artists from the 1800s, was influenced by Dutch and French artists who focused on rural life. In this painting, Van Gogh invites us to empathize with the woman’s hard labour.

QUESTION

Based on this painting, who do you think this woman is?

Vincent Van Gogh, A woman with a spade, seen from behind

Draw everything that’s around you!

Imagine you stepped inside this painting; how would it feel? What do you see, smell and hear? Draw everything that’s around you!

  1. If you have access to a printer, print the activity card, draw what you would see and colour the drawing.

  2. If you do not have access to a printer, draw what you imagine is around the woman. Colour it and share it.

  3. Make them as realistic or not as you wish!

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What does your final composition look like? What would you try if you did it again? Share it with us at #AGOmakes @AGOToronto

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