The return from the fields 1862

Vincenzo Cabianca painted ‘The Return from the Fields’ with oil on canvas, but we don’t know exactly when. What we see is an idyllic scene of Italian rural life. The painting shows figures riding on a cart, likely returning home after working in the fields. Cabianca was associated with the Macchiaioli, an Italian artistic movement that developed in Tuscany in the mid-19th century. The Macchiaioli rejected the academic conventions taught in Italian art academies, and often painted en plein air, directly from nature, to capture the effects of light and shadow. Their focus on everyday subjects challenged the prevailing artistic norms. In this painting, the artist isn't making a grand historical statement; instead, he offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of ordinary people. This focus on the quotidian reflected a broader cultural interest in the lives of the working class. Understanding this painting requires us to delve into the art criticism and social history of 19th-century Italy.