The Potato Eaters (De Aardappeleters)
Painting on canvas • Vincent van Gogh
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Social Realism (Dutch period)
Medium & Technique
Oil painting with heavy impasto and visible expressive brushwork; uses a somber palette of earth tones like raw umber and dirty greens
Creation Period
April 1885
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 82 cm x 114 cm (32.3 in x 44.9 in); Landscape format
Subject Description
Five peasants are gathered around a wooden table in a dimly lit cottage, sharing a meal of potatoes and coffee. The composition emphasizes gnarled, weathered hands and faces to symbolize manual labor and the dignity of the working class. A single oil lamp illuminates the scene from above.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent (original), though the version in the image appears to be a digital display or high-quality reproduction
Estimated Market Value
Inestimable (National Treasure); if sold privately, easily exceeds $150 million USD
Auction Estimate
$100,000,000 - $200,000,000+ USD
Provenance History
Original in the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam; previously owned by the artist's brother Theo van Gogh and family members
Art Historical Significance
Regarded by Van Gogh himself as his first true masterpiece and his most successful work from his Nuenen period. It marks his profound commitment to depicting the harsh reality of peasant life without romanticization.
Notable Features
Intentional use of 'colors of a dusty potato, unpeeled' as described by the artist; the exaggerated features focus on character rather than anatomical perfection.
Condition Issues
The actual original has some darkening of pigments over time and minor surface cracking (craquelure), but is professionally conserved; the pictured item is a digital screen image.
Conservation Recommendations
For the original: Climate-controlled environment (50% humidity, 20°C), UV-filtered lighting below 50 lux. For the digital screen pictured: Standard electronic screen maintenance.