Harvest 1911

This is Natalia Goncharova’s "Harvest," and what strikes me first is the bold, graphic approach to depicting a traditional scene. It’s like she’s grabbing folk art by the scruff of its neck and dragging it into the 20th century. Look at how the colors are laid down in flat planes, less interested in blending and more in creating a strong visual impact. The oranges, yellows, and blacks aren’t just colors, they’re shapes, forms, and feelings. The black sun and moon feel like they are pulling the energy out of the earth, while the harvesters toil away in a blaze of orange and yellow. It makes me think about how we separate work from life, and how silly that is. Goncharova reminds me a little of Marsden Hartley, another artist who wasn't afraid to be earnest. It's a reminder that art doesn’t need to be cool or clever, it just needs to feel true.