The artwork titled “Farmer” was created by the artist Norman Rockwell in the year 1923. It is associated with the art movement known as Regionalism and can be classified as a genre painting, a style of painting depicting scenes from everyday life.
In the artwork, we observe a figure of a farmer who appears absorbed in thought or perhaps assessing his day’s work. The farmer, garbed in a work shirt and overalls, dons a straw hat which seems to shield his eyes from the sun. There is a sense of weariness suggested by his posture and the set of his mouth, indicative of hard labor or momentary respite from toil. He is holding a small item in one hand, examining it closely, while his other hand rests upon what appears to be a hoe, suggesting a brief pause in his agricultural labor. A red bandana peeks from the pocket of his overalls, adding a touch of color to the otherwise muted tones of his attire. Interestingly, a bird is captured in mid-flight to one side of the farmer, contributing to the dynamic and possibly fleeting moment being portrayed. Norman Rockwell’s skill in rendering emotion and storytelling through visual cues is evident in this poignant depiction of rural life.
