#43342 Carl Larsson (1853-1919)

The artwork presents a rural scene dominated by a pervasive ochre palette. Here we observe a farmer guiding a horse-drawn plow across a vast field. The landscape is rendered in a stylized manner; details are simplified and forms appear somewhat flattened, contributing to an overall sense of heightened visual unity.
The composition directs the viewers attention towards the central activity – the plowing. The diagonal line created by the furrow leads the eye into the depth of the scene, while the horse and farmer form a strong focal point. A barn is situated on a slight rise in the background, partially obscured by foliage, suggesting a sense of established settlement within this agricultural setting. To the right, another figure is visible, engaged in what appears to be harvesting or gathering hay.
The sky occupies a significant portion of the canvas and is characterized by swirling cloud formations rendered with energetic brushstrokes. These clouds introduce a dynamic element that contrasts with the more static quality of the field below. The color scheme – primarily yellows, browns, and muted greens – evokes feelings of warmth, harvest time, and perhaps even a sense of melancholy associated with the end of summer.
Subtly, the work conveys themes of labor, sustenance, and connection to the land. The repetitive motion of plowing suggests a cyclical nature of agricultural life, while the solitary figures imply both individual effort and communal reliance on the rhythms of the seasons. The simplified forms and limited color range contribute to an atmosphere that is less about precise representation and more about conveying a feeling or mood associated with rural existence. Theres a quiet dignity in the depiction of this work; it doesn’t romanticize, but rather presents a straightforward observation of a fundamental human activity.