Mower Honing a Scythe 1878

Jules Bastien-Lepage made this print, "Mower Honing a Scythe," using etching. It shows a farmer pausing to sharpen his blade in a field of wheat. Made in France during the late 19th century, this image reflects a growing artistic interest in rural life, moving away from academic subject matter in favor of humble representations of the working class. The figure dominates the composition, grounding the artwork in the experience of manual labor. It’s important to remember that images of peasants had long been a popular subject, but usually to emphasize the picturesque or the traditional. Here, Bastien-Lepage presents a more realistic, unromanticized view, reflecting a broader cultural movement toward naturalism. By examining exhibition records, letters, and critical reviews from the period, we can better understand how the artwork was received and what it meant to its original audience. The meaning of any work of art is always rooted in its time.