Reapers Resting in a Wheat Field 1885

John Singer Sargent painted "Reapers Resting in a Wheat Field" with oil on canvas. It captures a rural scene, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century. Sargent, an American artist who spent much of his life in Europe, often depicted scenes of leisure and the upper class. However, this painting offers a glimpse into the lives of agricultural workers. During this period, rural life was undergoing significant changes due to industrialization and urbanization. Sargent's choice to paint agricultural workers suggests an interest in documenting a disappearing way of life. The painting aestheticizes the scene, with the laborers arranged in a composed group. To fully understand this work, one might delve into the economic conditions of agricultural labor during this time. Examining census records, farm journals, and local histories can reveal the social realities behind this seemingly idyllic image.