Pieter Bruegel the Elder wrote in 1565 famous painting"The Harvest", which is part of the "Seasons" series and is currently on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is from this painting that I would like to begin telling you about the paintings of this series that have come down to us. The plot is dedicated to the summer months: July or August, at the time when the harvest begins and continues. This time I will not just show the most hidden details of the great master’s painting, but I will also try to tell some interesting details, which cannot be found in articles on the Internet, where more attention is paid to the technique, color scheme and composition of this masterpiece.
Long shot
1. A small house in a field, a road along which people are walking and a cart is rolling 
2. Bruegel’s beloved ships - life in Antwerp did not pass him by. Apparently, this is why in many of his paintings you see ships anchored in the bay 
3. A small farm where the owner drives her cattle home 
4. The castle, which is found as often as ships in Bruegel’s paintings, symbolizes nobles and warriors. Near the castle there is a garden, from which a watchman drives away thieves, while a worker collects fruits, standing on a ladder near a tree. 
5. Bathing monks. They symbolize religion. 
6. Cart with straw 
7. Toll bridge and game with a goose - the point of the game is to kill the animal - whoever does this takes the goose.
A little further away, a peasant defecates right in front of the house. This motif is also found in so many of Bruegel’s paintings - as it seems to me, bringing painting down to earth. 
Medium shot
8. Harvesting grain, there is a jug near the stream at the edge of the field, most likely this is also a resting place, since there is also something spread there, apparently a blanket 
9. Women carry sheaves 
10. On the right you can see village houses and a church behind the trees 
11. Children picking apples 
12. Which fall to the ground thanks to this man - he specifically climbed onto the apple tree and shook it with all his might. 
13. Well, the third class, the most interesting to Bruegel - peasants. After all, before Bruegel, the paintings depicted either nobility or Christian subjects, but here only peasants are clearly shown - Bruegel places the nobility and the church somewhere in the background, and the nobility does not protect anyone, and the monks do not atone for sins. Only peasants work. Apparently, this is why Bruegel is most interested in them. 
Foreground
14. Resting peasants. They eat porridge, fruits, bread, cheese, and drink water from jugs. Someone is sleeping 
15. Water carrier 
16. Working peasants 
17. By the way, pay attention to how flies were made in the 16th century - and you say that you cannot study history from paintings and that paintings are not a historical source! =) 
18. Bruegel, as always, pays attention to the smallest details - this is how the cornflowers on the field are drawn 
19. The tree symbolizes the productivity of nature. Look how detailed everything is drawn, even the birds! 
Well, for those who speak English - very good movie about this picture:
Previous posts.
School essay on the painting Harvest by Plastov, grade 6
The artistic canvas “Harvest” was painted by Plastov in 1945, when our country had just celebrated Great Victory. During the Great Patriotic War Everyone who did not go to the front had to work in the rear. And these were mostly old people, women and children. If in cities they worked in factories and various enterprises, then in rural areas worked in the field. It is this topic that the artist’s work is devoted to.
In the picture we see an endless wheat field where the harvest is underway. The main characters of the picture are a gray-haired elderly man and three children, the eldest of whom was barely twelve years old. They are presented in the foreground of the picture while they are having lunch. From early morning they must first mow and reap with sickles, and then gather and bind the ripened wheat into sheaves. This hard work fell on the shoulders of the elder and younger generation, since after the war many did not return from the front. Most likely, those present are all from the same family, and the children are the grandchildren of this old man. Their father probably didn’t return from the war, or maybe he’s still in the hospital.
For lunch, the grandfather and the boys have ordinary peasant food: porridge, which they scoop wooden spoons from a small saucepan. Behind the children there are cucumbers and bread on a towel. A blond guy in a white shirt and gray pants holds an earthenware jug from which he drinks water. The old man has rye bread in one hand, and in the other he has a spoon with which he eats porridge. He has a grown gray beard and tousled gray hair. The tanned skin on his face and hands indicates that he had to work a lot this summer under the scorching sun. An elderly man is dressed in a faded green work suit and trampled boots. An old brown coat is thrown over his shoulders. Apparently, so that the hot back does not blow while they are resting.
A girl of about ten is dressed in a dark blouse, a red skirt and a white scarf. Brown hair braided into two braids. And her bangs, like the boys’ hair, were faded in the sun. The red-haired boy in the yellow shirt has grown a lot of hair over the summer. Probably, adults have to work from morning to evening, and they don’t have enough energy or time to get a haircut.
An obedient small dog silently watches their meal. He waits patiently to be treated to leftover food.
Behind the guys’ backs stands a stack of wheat. Three sickles are stuck into it, and a scythe and a rake are placed on the other edge. Each of those present performs a certain job that is within his power. Grandfather has to mow, and the guys cut off the ears of wheat with sickles, and then rake and tie them into sheaves.
In the background we see several stacks of wheat. People are trying to take them to the village in horse-drawn carts.
The picture makes a good impression. The golden wheat field and the rich harvest inspire hope that everything in this family, and in the whole country, will be fine. No one will remain hungry. And soon, perhaps, the father of these guys will return home.
Painting is a unique art form. With the help of paints, brushes and pencils, artists can take us back to the distant past, draw what may happen centuries later and capture events that will become history in moments. Painting is clearer than music, and often its meaning is clearer and more transparent than that of verbal images. It requires one thing from the viewer - “participation,” empathy, inclusion in the silent dialogue that the artist conducts with us.
Plastov - folk singer of Russia
Arkady Plastov belongs to that remarkable galaxy of masters of the brush who left a deep mark on Russian art. His canvases are deeply folk because they reflect life common man with all its simple events. And all together they add up to great chronicle country, difficult and heroic. "Peasant Rus'" - main character all his works. And this is not only people, but also nature. She is not just a background that helps reveal the plot, but a full participant in all events. Proof of this is the description of the painting “Harvest” by A. A. Plastov.
History of creation
The canvas was written in 1945, a very important year for the country. Last months war, the passionate expectation of victory and the ongoing pain and bitterness from the fact that many died in its fields and would not return - these were the main moods of that time. All this can be felt through the description of the painting “Harvest” by Plastov, which is located in the famous Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow. The artist worked on canvas with oil; the dimensions of the canvas are quite large - 166x219 cm. Historical background works is not accidental in the master’s work. Before “The Harvest,” he painted another, strikingly tragic, painting, “The Fascist Has Arrived.” And although there are no obvious signs of war on the canvas we are interested in, it is still conveyed through the general coloring. Let's try to feel it through the description of the painting “Harvest” by Plastov.
Characteristics of the canvas
In the foreground of the picture we see a group of people. This is an old collective farmer and three children. They have lunch after finishing their hard peasant work. The man is already quite old, his beard is almost completely white, and thick hair, scattered by the wind and spore work, are completely intertwined with a web of gray hair. Immediately, the description of the painting “Harvest” by Plastov prompts the following thoughts: why should an old man, who has already devoted almost his entire life to land and work, instead of resting, have to tear himself apart so unbearably? More on this a little later, but for now let’s continue to look at the hero of the work.
The artist carefully painted his calloused, calloused hands, darkened from work. In one he holds a piece of black bread, in the other - a wooden spoon, with which he carefully slurps a simple meal from a reddish one. The collective farmer has thrown an old, threadbare dark brown coat over his shoulders, with a blue canvas shirt visible under it. On his feet are old broken shoes. Continuing the essay on the painting “The Harvest” by Plastov, let’s pay attention to its other heroes. These are two boys and a girl, boys 10-12 years old. Maybe it's a grandfather with his grandchildren. The girl sitting closest to us is a girl. She tied a white chintz scarf around her head, from under which two braids touchingly emerge and descend onto her thin neck. The forehead is covered by sun-bleached blonde bangs. A dark blouse, a red dress, stockings on her legs tucked under her and cherry-colored boots - that’s all the granddaughter’s simple outfit. She has a spoon in her hand. Leaning slightly towards the pot, she eats a thin peasant stew, which was a real delicacy during the war years. Behind her sits her brother - a red-haired, curly boy. His head had not been touched by scissors for a long time - either there was no time, or maybe there was no one to put his head in order. And again I remember: it’s war, and you never know where the children’s mother is... The little boy is also focused on food, like his family. But the third of the children has fallen to the clay jug and is greedily drinking water or milk. He is wearing an untucked white shirt and dark pants. Apparently, he was very tired and thirsty, he didn’t even have time to eat! The fifth hero of the picture is a common favorite, a funny dog. He gazes at the diners, impatiently waiting for his turn to come.
Painting background
The painting “Harvest” by Plastov is a story about the dramatic battle for the harvest of those who during the war years remained in the rear and with all their might helped forge victory, providing the front and civilians with the most important thing - bread. That's why the old man had to advanced years, and children who would run to school, take up pitchforks and rakes, scythes and sickles, that their adult sons, fathers and brothers, and even mothers went to war - to defend the Motherland. So those who remain are plowing, sowing, mowing, working, exhausted. To the left of the diners is a large, freshly mowed stack, on which scythes, rakes and other agricultural implements are piled. In the background lies an endless field and equally huge haystacks. And above all this rises a gray, pre-storm sky. Apparently, because of the bad weather, grandfather and grandchildren were in a hurry to harvest the crops. That is why the painting is called “Harvest”. Warm golden tones give it a special flavor. The canvas breathes deep sincere love to the people and to the Motherland.
Probably not every person in his life could directly observe the harvesting of bread and how difficultly this delicious product ends up on our table. Plastov’s painting “Harvest”, as well as “Haymaking”, written in 1945, tell us about everyday life ordinary people, collective farmers busy in the fields harvesting crops.
For these paintings about the summer harvest Arkady Plastov was awarded Stalin Prize that at that time for Soviet artist was simply an unattainable peak.
In the painting “Harvest,” the artist depicted a short rest, during which the family had dinner. The wheat harvest is cut and swept into large stacks. Some haystacks have already been loaded onto chaises, which are visible on the horizon. You can also see huge haystacks there, waiting their turn to go to the lectern.
The grandfather, who also went to the harvest along with his teenage grandchildren, of course, had not yet had time to compress so much. An elderly man’s strength is no longer what it was in his youth, and he also feels sorry for his grandchildren. It’s not easy for them, because their father has not yet returned from the front, and the entire burden of difficult peasant labor has fallen on the shoulders of such old people and teenagers. But in their hearts there lives the hope that everything will be fine, if only the father would return... “Then it would be easier for the mother,” the children think. For an incredibly long four years, the village that sent the men to the front provided the country and the front with food. And now the long-awaited Victory Day has come, but the soldiers’ journey home to their families is still so long. And not all of them will knock on the doors of their home, where people still continue to wait for them, no matter what.
Grandfather and grandchildren slowly eat simple peasant food, scooping thick porridge from a saucepan with painted wooden spoons. Cucumbers are laid out on a scarf. One of the boys drinks water from a clay jug, in which the water remains cool for a long time. A yard dog sits quietly nearby, ears raised, patiently waiting for a handout. The figure of a bearded, gray-haired old man is depicted very colorfully. While working, his hair became very disheveled. He holds a small piece of rye bread in his large, tired hands, and it is clear to the audience that he only occasionally takes a bite from it, trying to make sure there is enough food for the guys.
Although the children are wearing light clothing, the old man has a worn brown jacket draped over his shoulders. Perhaps he is not completely healthy and therefore is afraid of catching a cold and getting sick. Then it will be even more difficult for the family to manage the household.
Plastov depicts a field stretching from edge to edge, where almost all the wheat has already been harvested and only the stubble colors it yellow-green. Plastov always preferred to use colors and shades that most accurately characterized the theme and conveyed his attitude to the depicted event.
Next to the hay you can see the tools of this peasant family. As you can see, the grandfather worked with a scythe, which he leaned against a haystack during the rest period, and the boys with sickles. A wooden rake is also visible in the picture. Perhaps the girl was raking up the ears of corn with them.
Currently, the painting "Harvest" is on display at the State Tretyakov Gallery, evokes a light sadness from contemplating the endless expanses of fields and the modest meal of peasants after wartime.
Essay description of A. Plastov’s painting “Harvest” Arkady Plastov belongs to that remarkable galaxy of masters of the brush who left a deep mark on Russian art. His canvases are deeply folk, because they reflect the life of a simple person with all its simple events. And all together they add up to a great chronicle of the country, difficult and heroic. “Peasant Rus'” is the main character of all his works. And this is not only people, but also nature. She is not just a background that helps reveal the plot, but a full participant in all events. Proof of this is the description of the painting “Harvest”
Harvest is the time of harvesting grain (the noun is formed from the verb to reap, that is, to cut off grain plants ready for harvesting) What time of year does the harvest take place? Stack is a pile of tightly packed hay or compressed cereals under open air, cylindrical in shape with a rounded top. A sheaf is a tied bunch of ears of some kind of cereal. Stubble (stubble) - a compressed field of wheat, the remains of the stalks of compressed cereals on the field (they are very prickly when you step on them with bare feet).
Harvest Plastova Tatyana Eichmann “Oh, God, give me another year” He sat down, sighing, by the haystack. In the rear, above the golden stubble, the roar of war cannot be heard. And the old man's hand stroked the boy's curls. He closed his eyes, from afar, to see his father, to tell him: “I endure for now, And you fight, my son, fight! We are tolerant with our grandson. Life in the village is not easy and not easy... Oh, God, I wish I had another year!” He began to cut the bread rug, “And then my grandson will grow up!” “Dead, I’m not small even now, I can use a sickle and a hammer, I’m running ahead of you!” The Old Man drank from the jug with a painful sip, but was not happy about the milk, and handed the vessel to the Little Boy, because he was growing up. “Oh, God! Move away your trial! And forgive the sinful soul" "Well, what have you had a snack, friend, It's time to get up, work is waiting..." Round and round - round, round and round - round, Year after year, year after year... "Oh, God!" Grandfather, there is pain nearby... The war is raging on the fronts. The victorious battle is still far away... Grandfather knew that the country would win.
History of creation The canvas was written in 1945, a very important year for the country. The last months of the war, the passionate expectation of victory and the ongoing pain and bitterness from the fact that many died in its fields and would not return - these were the main moods of that time.
Characteristics of the canvas In the foreground of the picture we see a group of people. This is an old collective farmer and three children. They have lunch after finishing their hard peasant work. The man is already quite elderly, his beard is almost completely white, and his thick hair, tossed by the wind and fussy work, is completely intertwined with a web of gray hair.
Characteristics of the canvas The artist carefully painted his calloused, calloused hands, darkened from work. In one he holds a piece of black bread, in the other - a wooden spoon, with which he carefully slurps simple food from a reddish clay pot. The collective farmer threw an old, threadbare dark brown coat over his shoulders, revealing a blue canvas shirt underneath. On his feet are old broken shoes.
HARD-KNOWN, oh, oh. 1. Hardened; calloused Rough hands. A wounded man in crusty bandages. 2. Callous, rude. A calloused man. A hardened soul. 3. Retarded, obdurate. A hardened conservative, a bureaucrat. Bored habits.<Заскорузло, нареч. Заскорузлость, и; ж.
Characteristics of the canvas let’s pay attention to its other heroes. These are two boys and a girl, guys about 1012 years old. Maybe it's a grandfather with his grandchildren. The girl sitting closest to us is a girl. She tied a white chintz scarf around her head, from under which two braids touchingly emerge and descend onto her thin neck. The forehead is covered by sun-bleached blonde bangs. A dark blouse, a red dress, stockings on her legs tucked under her and cherry-colored boots - that’s all the granddaughter’s simple outfit. She has a spoon in her hand. Leaning slightly towards the pot, she eats a thin peasant stew, which was a real delicacy during the war years.
Characteristics of the canvas Her brother is sitting behind her - a red-haired, curly boy. His head had not been touched by scissors for a long time - either there was no time, or maybe there was no one to put his head in order. And again I remember: it’s war, and you never know where the children’s mother is... The little boy is also focused on food, like his family. But the third of the children has fallen to the clay jug and is greedily drinking water or milk. He is wearing an untucked white shirt and dark pants. Apparently, he was very tired and thirsty, he didn’t even have time to eat! The fifth hero of the picture is a common favorite, a funny dog. He gazes at the diners, impatiently waiting for his turn to come.
Background of the painting The painting “Harvest” by Plastov is a story about the dramatic battle for the harvest of those who during the war years remained in the rear and with all their might helped forge victory, providing the front and civilians with the most important thing - bread. That is why the old man in his old age, and the children who would be running to school, had to take up pitchforks and rakes, scythes and sickles, because their adult sons, fathers and brothers, and even mothers went to war - to defend the Motherland. So those who remain are plowing, sowing, mowing, working, exhausted. To the left of the diners is a large, freshly mowed stack, on which scythes, rakes and other agricultural implements are piled. In the background lies an endless field and equally huge haystacks. And above all this rises a gray, pre-storm sky. Apparently, because of the bad weather, the grandfather and grandchildren were in a hurry to harvest the harvest. That is why the painting is called “Harvest”. Warm golden tones give it a special flavor. The canvas exudes deep, sincere love for people and the Motherland.
Lexical work A. Plastov is an artist, painter, master, author. Painting - linen, canvas, work, reproduction Harvest - harvesting. When describing the picture, we will need adjectives - definitions. An old man is an elderly man, tired from work, a grandfather. The old man’s face is bearded, his beard is gray, which indicates his age. The hair on the head is tousled by the wind, tangled. The old man’s hands are overworked, strong, strong, calloused, calloused, darkened from work. The artist wanted to show us that this old man is a hard worker. The old man's clothes are a dark old coat, brown, a blue shirt and old shoes. Children. Girl - white cotton scarf, light, red, scarlet, cherry, boots, boots Boys: A) red-haired, shaggy, uncut; B) white shirt, dark pants, black. Dog - looks intently, greedily, wants to eat Description of the background. Color scheme. The color yellow predominates in the picture; we select synonyms: golden, bright yellow, sunny, straw. There are shades of brown: light brown, fawn
