The water wheel 1863

"The Water Wheel" (1863) by Silvestro Lega depicts a tranquil scene of rural life. The artwork, currently housed in the Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea (GNAM) in Rome, showcases Lega's characteristic realism and attention to detail. It captures the daily activities of a man tending to his horse and a woman washing clothes at a water wheel. The painting, with its muted palette and soft light, embodies the peaceful and simple beauty of the Italian countryside. The composition emphasizes the natural setting and the figures' quiet interactions with their environment. This work is an excellent example of Lega's contributions to the Italian Realist movement.