The artwork “Harvest at Eragny” was created by Camille Pissarro in 1901. It is an oil painting on canvas, which measures 53.9 x 64.7 cm. The piece is an exemplar of the Impressionist movement, to which Pissarro was a major contributor. The genre of this painting is defined as genre painting, a type of work that illustrates aspects of everyday life. This particular piece is housed in the National Gallery of Canada, located in Ottawa, Canada.
“Harvest at Eragny” depicts a pastoral scene of agricultural work, set in the lush countryside. The composition focuses on a group of women engaged in the physically demanding task of harvesting. Each figure is captured in a snapshot of their motion, with two women in the foreground vigorously raking the hay. The use of dappled light and shadow, along with the vivid portrayal of movement, bring a sense of vibrant energy and warmth to the painting. The artist employs quick, loose brushstrokes characteristic of the Impressionist style to render the landscape and figures, imbuing the tableau with a sense of immediacy and the fleeting qualities of light—hallmarks of Impressionist works. The background faintly reveals additional figures amidst the fields, contributing to the narrative of communal labor and the rhythm of rural life. Pissarro’s work not only captures the physicality of agricultural work but also celebrates the connection between humans and the land.
