The artwork titled “Working the land,” created by the esteemed artist Paul Gauguin in 1873, is an exquisite oil on canvas exemplifying the Impressionist movement. With dimensions measuring 50.5 x 81.6 cm, this genre painting immerses the viewer in a pastoral scene. The artwork is housed at the Fitzwilliam Museum, which is part of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, UK, contributing to the institution’s rich collection of visual culture.
In the artwork, one observes a serene rural landscape where figures engage with their environment. The palette is predominately constituted of earthy tones, reflecting the natural elements of the scene. A vast sky occupies the upper half of the canvas, with soft, cotton-like clouds floating above, suggesting the temporality and transitory nature of light that Impressionism aims to capture. The middle ground is dominated by fields in different states of cultivation, illustrating the human impact on the land. There are several individuals working or traveling through the landscape, their forms simplified but expressive in their postures and activities. To the left, a person appears to be laboring in the field, while others at various distances interact with the landscape, some possibly tending to the crops, and another figure leading an animal. A windmill stands prominently in the distance, symbolizing rural life and the harmony between human endeavors and the natural world.
The composition is open and airy, with a pathway leading the viewer’s eye into the vast expanse of the countryside. This invites contemplation of the simplicity and beauty of rural existence at the time. The execution of the painting, with visible brushstrokes and an emphasis on the quality of light, is characteristic of the Impressionist movement, which sought to convey the perception of a moment rather than a detailed, academic representation. Overall, the artwork serves as a testament to the theme of bucolic life and the significance of agricultural labor.
