Workers in the fields Boris Grigoriev (1886-1939)

The composition presents two figures set against a backdrop dominated by earthy tones and indistinct forms. On the left stands a woman, her face rendered with stark simplicity; the features are flattened, almost mask-like, and her expression is difficult to decipher – perhaps resignation or quiet endurance. She wears what appears to be a head covering of white fabric, contrasting with the red band around her neck and the muted colors of the background. Her posture suggests a certain stoicism, though theres an unsettling quality to her gaze.
To her right stands a man, his face heavily lined and weathered, accentuated by a prominent mustache and a cap that obscures part of his forehead. His expression is more overtly somber, conveying a sense of weariness or perhaps suppressed anger. The artist has emphasized the texture of his skin through rough brushstrokes, contributing to an overall impression of age and hardship.
The background is ambiguous; it seems to depict a landscape, but details are blurred and abstracted. A reddish-brown hue dominates, punctuated by darker shapes that could be interpreted as trees or distant structures. Scattered across this backdrop are what appear to be tools – spades or shovels – suggesting agricultural labor. The lack of depth and the flattened perspective contribute to an atmosphere of confinement and isolation.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of rural life, toil, and perhaps social commentary. The figures expressions and postures suggest a burden carried with quiet dignity. The indistinct background hints at a broader context of hardship and possibly exploitation. There is a sense of anonymity; the individuals are not presented as unique personalities but rather as representatives of a class or group defined by their labor. The muted color palette reinforces this feeling of austerity and resignation, while the simplified forms lend an unsettling quality to the scene, prompting reflection on the human cost of agricultural work.