Who painted The Girl with a Loose Scythe?

The Girl with a Loose Scythe was painted by Ivan Kramskoi in 1873.

Where can I see The Girl with a Loose Scythe?

The Girl with a Loose Scythe is held by Tretyakov Gallery.

What movement is The Girl with a Loose Scythe?

The Girl with a Loose Scythe is associated with Realism.

Artwork

The Girl with a Loose Scythe

Ivan Kramskoi , 1873

The Girl with a Loose Scythe is an oil painting by the Realist artist Ivan Kramskoi. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1873, *The Girl with a Loose Scythe* is an oil painting by Ivan Kramskoi, a central figure of Russian Realism. The work belongs to the collection of the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow and exemplifies the artist’s engagement with everyday subjects characteristic of his era.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas presents a young woman holding a scythe whose blade has slipped from its handle. She wears a dark dress with a white collar, her long hair falling over her back, and looks downward with a thoughtful expression. The relaxed pose and subdued gaze suggest a moment of quiet contemplation amid ordinary labor.

Technique & Style

Kramskoi employs a restrained palette and strong contrasts of light and shadow, allowing the figure to emerge from a darkened background. The handling of oil paint creates a subtle chiaroscuro that models the girl’s form and emphasizes the texture of the fabric and the metallic sheen of the scythe.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced during Kramskoi’s involvement with the Peredvizhniki, a cooperative of artists advocating socially relevant art in the reign of Tsar Alexander II. After its exhibition, the work entered the Tretyakov Gallery’s holdings, where it remains part of the museum’s representation of 19th‑century Russian realism.