The Old Ploughman c. 19th century

Curator: Anton Mauve painted this watercolor, titled "The Old Ploughman," and it is currently housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The atmospheric perspective is quite striking. I am drawn to the muted palette and the somber stillness. It makes me think of a quiet meditation on labor. Curator: Mauve was a significant figure in the Hague School, emphasizing realism and rural life. This work fits squarely within that framework, highlighting the dignity, and perhaps the hardships, of agricultural work. One also sees the figure's connection with the land. Editor: Observe how Mauve uses the restricted range of ochre, grays, and blues to build form. The composition, too, with its low horizon line, amplifies the feeling of expanse. Curator: Absolutely. It also speaks to the broader 19th-century interest in portraying the working class. How do we represent labor, and what does that representation say about societal values and power structures? Editor: In the end, it is the play of light on the horse's coat that really captures the eye. The texture of the fur seems almost palpable. Curator: A poignant reflection on humanity's relationship with nature and the land.