The Potato Eaters by Van Gogh – Mistake or Masterpiece?

The Potato Eaters is a powerful masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh. It portrays four faces sweating to earn food for the family. The painting uses chiaroscuro, a style that uses dark tones in an effort to highlight the details of everyday life. The artist’s depiction of the four faces is a stark contrast to their happy and relaxed counterparts. In other words, the painting shows the misery that peasants face every day.

Do you think the Potato Eaters painting is a mistake or masterpiece?