“Ploughing” is a significant artwork by the post-impressionist artist Georges Seurat crafted between the years 1882 and 1883 in France. Seurat executed this genre painting using crayon on paper, effectively capturing a scene of rural life. The artwork’s dimensions are modest, measuring 24.5 cm by 32 cm. The piece is often remembered as an exemplar of the Post-Impressionist movement, which aimed to bring a more personal and symbolic approach to the impressions of the external world.
The artwork portrays what appears to be an agricultural scene at either dusk or dawn, given the low position and glow of the sun on the horizon. One may observe the silhouettes of two figures standing in the foreground, presumably observing the activity in the field. Behind them, one can discern another figure, likely engaged in the act of ploughing, accompanied by what seem to be draft animals, possibly horses or oxen. The scene is enveloped in a play of light and shadow, evoking a sense of tranquility and the laborious essence of rural life. Seurat’s use of crayon has resulted in rich textures throughout the composition, giving the artwork depth and a palpable atmosphere.
