The artwork, “Plowing,” by Carl Larsson, is a genre painting belonging to the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. This piece vividly portrays the routine of agricultural labor, capturing a scene where a man is plowing a field with a horse.
In the artwork, a man diligently guides a single plow pulled by a robust horse, turning the soil for planting. The field stretches out in a golden hue, suggesting it may be autumn when the work of the harvest and preparation for the next planting season is underway. In the background, another figure stands engaged in an agricultural activity, potentially sowing seeds. The backdrop features trees and a rustic farmhouse. The sky, rendered in soft, flowing strokes, is partly clouded, casting diffuse light over the pastoral landscape. The gentle contours of the clouds and the earthy tones of the land create an atmosphere of harmony and industriousness characteristic of Carl Larsson’s celebration of rural life.
