Man with his head in his hands 1882

This is Van Gogh’s study of a figure in despair, made with pencil and brush, heightened with grey wash and traces of watercolour. The subject’s posture immediately communicates anguish, made starker by the monochromatic palette. See how Van Gogh uses dense, swirling strokes to construct form, especially around the head and hands, almost obscuring the face to intensify the sense of inner turmoil. The artist's expressive handling of the medium is evident. The composition emphasizes the figure's isolation; the dark, undefined background presses in, heightening the sense of confinement. Note the stark contrast between the lit areas and the deep shadows, which not only model the figure but also evoke a mood of deep melancholy. This piece is less a portrait and more an exploration of psychological space through form. It invites us to consider the way posture and gesture can communicate profound emotions.