Apfelernte 1919

Cuno Amiet made this painting, "Apfelernte," with oil on canvas. The thick, expressive brushstrokes are key to the work's impact. Amiet uses paint not just to depict the scene, but as a material with its own energy. The painting captures a moment in the apple harvest, with the figure of a peasant woman at its center. Note how the artist renders the weight and texture of her garments, giving a sense of the labor involved in working the land. This is not just a pretty picture; it's a meditation on the relationship between people and the land they work. Also, consider the social context. Amiet was part of a generation of artists interested in the lives of everyday people, especially those engaged in rural labor. By elevating this subject matter to the realm of fine art, he challenges traditional hierarchies of value and taste. The visible labor that went into its production mirrors the labor it depicts. This piece invites us to appreciate the materiality of painting, as well as the social realities it reflects.