Artwork
Farm in the Open Fields
Farm in the Open Fields is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Paul Gabriël, a Dutch artist linked to the Hague School, painted *Farm in the Open Fields* in 1891. Executed in oil, the canvas presents a modest rural scene that includes a thatched wooden house, a solitary figure, and a handful of chickens set against a muted landscape. The work belongs to the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a small, weather‑worn farmhouse whose roof leans slightly, suggesting age and continual use. A woman in dark clothing sits on the grass nearby, while chickens peck at the ground, emphasizing everyday agrarian life. The sparse, pale sky and distant horizon convey a sense of openness and quiet solitude.
Technique & Style
Gabriël employs a restrained palette of earthy greens and browns, with the sky rendered in pale tones. Thick applications of paint—particularly on the grass and roof—create a tactile surface that enhances the sense of texture. The brushwork is loose yet controlled, characteristic of the Hague School’s naturalistic approach.
History & Provenance
Since its creation in 1891, the painting has remained in the Netherlands, ultimately entering the Rijksmuseum’s holdings. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s commitment to representing the Dutch landscape tradition of the late nineteenth century.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël
Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël or Paul Gabriël (5 July 1828 – 23 August 1903) was a painter, draftsman, watercolorist, and etcher who belonged to the Hague School.
