The artwork titled “Haying at Mezy,” created by Berthe Morisot in 1891, is an oil on canvas genre painting that captures a scene of rural life. This work is part of the Impressionist movement, renowned for its vibrant brushwork and emphasis on the effects of light. “Haying at Mezy” measures 50.8 by 61.6 centimeters and, as of the last known record, resides within a private collection.
This bucolic scene is rendered with the loose, flowing brushstrokes characteristic of Impressionism, evoking the sensation of light flickering through leaves and reflecting off surfaces. A central figure, attired in a traditional peasant dress, bends in the act of gathering hay. The figure’s posture suggests movement and purpose within the tranquil setting. Amidst the dappling of sunlight, greens, blues, and the warm hues of the hay, the painting conveys a sense of the day’s warmth and the labor’s rhythm. Trees are situated prominently within the composition, their foliage rendered with swift, gentle strokes that give an impression of the lush canopy. The artwork invites viewers to experience the simplicity and beauty of rural labor as felt through the sensations of a summer day.
