Old Woman with a Shawl and a Walking-Stick - Vincent van Gogh
Archival giclée
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Description
A poignant study of an elderly woman by Vincent van Gogh, created in 1882 during his time in The Hague.
Produced during his formative period in The Hague, this work captures a solitary figure from behind. Vincent van Gogh demonstrates his early focus on the lives of the working class and the elderly. The subject is draped in a heavy shawl, her posture stooped as she leans upon a wooden walking-stick. The composition is stark, placing the figure against a neutral, pale background that draws attention to the texture of her clothing and the weight of her form.
Van Gogh utilised black chalk to define the contours of the figure, applying watercolour and gouache to build up the tonal depth of the garments. The drawing reflects his interest in the social realism of the time, a theme he explored through numerous studies of labourers and pensioners. Unlike his later, more expressive works, this piece shows a disciplined approach to observation and anatomy. The lines are deliberate, capturing the physical toll of age through the slight curve of the back and the grip on the stick.
This study is representative of the artist's efforts to master draughtsmanship before his move to France. He often sought out models who embodied the hardship of rural or urban poverty. By focusing on the back of the woman, he creates a sense of anonymity, turning the individual into a universal symbol of endurance. The muted palette of browns, blacks, and creams reinforces the sombre tone of the subject matter. It is a clear example of his early technical rigour, where the focus remains on the structural integrity of the figure rather than decorative elements. The work provides a window into the artist's developing eye for human character and his empathy for those on the margins of society.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
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Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Old Woman with a Shawl and a Walking-Stick - Vincent van Gogh
Artist Biography
Vincent Van Gogh
He taught himself to draw by copying prints and working through textbooks. His brother Theo, an art dealer in Paris, sent money every month for the rest of Vincent's life. Without Theo there are no paintings. The letters between them, over 600, are one of the most complete records of any artist's thinking. Van Gogh wrote about colour theory, composition, what he ate, what he read, how much he spent on paint. He was articulate and well-read and not, despite the popular version, simply mad.
He moved to Paris in 1886 and encountered Impressionism. The palette changed immediately: from the dark browns of his Dutch period to the colours people actually associate with his work. He met Gauguin, Pissarro, Signac, Toulouse-Lautrec. He absorbed Pointillism and Japanese prints. Then he moved to Arles in the south of France, where the light was better and people were fewer.
The Arles period produced Sunflowers, The Bedroom, Starry Night Over the Rhone. The breakdown followed: the argument with Gauguin, the severed ear (he cut part of his left ear, not the whole thing), the asylum at Saint-Remy, and then Auvers-sur-Oise, where he painted seventy canvases in seventy days before dying from a gunshot wound at thirty-seven. He sold one painting during his lifetime, or possibly two. Theo died six months later.
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