Artwork
In the Harvest Field. Summer
In the Harvest Field. Summer is an oil painting by Alexey Venetsianov. It dates from 1820 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery. Created in 1820, this oil painting titled *In the Harvest Field.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1820, this oil painting titled *In the Harvest Field. Summer* presents a quiet summer labor scene. The canvas, now part of the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings, belongs to the genre‑scene tradition, focusing on everyday activity rather than grand historical narratives. Its composition centers on a group of peasants working the fields under a clear, lightly clouded sky.
Subject & Meaning
In the foreground a woman rests on the earth, cradling an infant, while another woman sits nearby. Around them, numerous figures bend and gather crops, conveying the collective effort of the harvest. The tranquil atmosphere and gentle lighting suggest a harmonious relationship between the laborers and the land, emphasizing the dignity of rural life.
Technique & Style
Venetsianov employs a restrained palette of warm earth tones punctuated by the soft blues of the sky, creating a feeling of summer heat softened by a breezy calm. The brushwork balances detail—particularly in the figures’ faces and hands—with broader, blended areas that convey depth in the field, reflecting his realistic yet tender approach to genre painting.
History & Provenance
The work was painted by Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov, a Russian artist noted for his focus on peasant subjects. After its creation, the painting entered the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s representation of early‑19th‑century Russian genre art.
Context
Venetsianov’s career coincided with a period of growing interest in the lives of ordinary Russians, a shift from aristocratic and religious themes. *In the Harvest Field. Summer* exemplifies this trend, aligning with contemporary efforts to document and elevate the everyday experiences of the countryside within the national artistic narrative.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov (Russian: Алексей Гаврилович Венецианов; 18 February 1780 – 16 December 1847) was a Russian painter, renowned for his paintings devoted to peasant life and ordinary people.
