Ploughman 1930 - 1935

Arnold Peter Weisz-Kubínčan created this drawing of a ploughman with pastels, a medium that blends the immediacy of drawing with the painterly effects of pigment. Look closely, and you’ll see how the velvety texture of the pastels gives a soft, diffused light to the scene. This effect is achieved by lightly layering the pigment onto the paper, allowing the surface to show through. The artist is not blending, but scumbling the colours. This approach is perfect for capturing the transient effects of light and atmosphere, as we see here in the sky. The choice of pastels also speaks to the artist's interest in capturing the fleeting moments of everyday life. The ploughman, a symbol of rural labor, is depicted with dignity and respect. The pastel medium, with its soft, subtle colors, emphasizes the quiet beauty of this simple act. Kubínčan’s focus on the lives of working people is evident in the amount of work involved in the farming process. Ultimately, the artist elevates a scene from everyday life into a work of art. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the simplest of things, and that the value of labor is worth commemorating.