Manure 1942

This painting by Ivan Generalic shows a farmer and his oxen at work in a small village. The shapes here are clearly defined and rendered with the precision of a folk artist. I love the color palette. The subdued greens and browns make the whiteness of the oxen stand out, along with the farmer’s white jacket and hat. I wonder, what was Generalic thinking as he built up this image? The man with the oxen: is he building a story around this figure? I’m so moved by the simple, straightforward style that feels unpretentious, yet totally sincere. I'm reminded of other artists who have celebrated the beauty of rural life, like Pieter Bruegel. Artists are always in conversation with each other, echoing and responding to the work that's come before. We can see art as a living thing, constantly growing and changing. Each artist builds upon the foundations laid by others.