Hay Making 1877

Jules Bastien-Lepage's "Hay Making" (1877) depicts a young woman sitting in a field of hay, while a man, likely her companion, rests behind her. The woman's gaze is directed towards the viewer, evoking a sense of realism and intimacy. The painting showcases Bastien-Lepage's penchant for capturing the lives of ordinary people and rural landscapes, which is indicative of the Realist movement. This painting, now housed in the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, is a testament to Bastien-Lepage's mastery of capturing the beauty and the realities of life in rural France.