Plow Boy 1950

Grandma Moses made this painting, Plow Boy, with what looks like fairly simple tools: paint, brushes, and maybe a palette knife. It's all about the texture in this piece: the way the paint sits on the canvas, thick in some places, thin in others, creating a real sense of depth and atmosphere. Look at the fields, notice the way the different colors and tones blend together, creating this kind of patchwork effect. You can almost feel the earth beneath your feet! And those horses plowing the fields—the way their muscles are suggested with these broad strokes of paint—that's not just about representation; it's about capturing the energy and the movement of life, the sense of a world constantly in motion. It reminds me a little of Pieter Bruegel, in his focus on landscapes and rural life. There’s such a generosity of spirit in her work. It’s like she’s saying, "Here, look at this, isn't it wonderful?"