Artwork
On the Floor of the Barn
On the Floor of the Barn is an ink print by Lesser Ury. It dates from 1923 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1923, *On the Floor of the Barn* is a drypoint print executed on laid buff paper by German artist Leo Lesser Ury. The work belongs to the printmaking output of an artist best known for his impressionistic treatment of ordinary, rural moments. Its modest dimensions and monochrome palette emphasize the quiet intensity of a single laboring figure within a barn interior.
Subject & Meaning
The image centers on a man bent over a hay‑laden floor, clutching a long implement that suggests the task of gathering or moving the straw. Dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers, his posture conveys physical effort, while the subdued background focuses attention on his concentration, offering a glimpse into the routine toil of agricultural life.
Technique & Style
Ury employed drypoint, a intaglio method in which a sharp needle incises lines directly onto the paper’s surface, producing rich, velvety burrs that yield soft, atmospheric tones. The choice of laid buff paper adds a warm, slightly textured ground, enhancing the impressionistic handling of light and shadow that characterizes the artist’s approach to everyday scenes.
History & Provenance
The print emerged during the later phase of Ury’s career, when he was associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting and increasingly turned to printmaking. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has appeared in several exhibitions of early 20th‑century German prints, underscoring its role in representing Ury’s shift from oil painting to graphic media.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leo Lesser Ury (November 7, 1861 – October 18, 1931) was a German impressionist painter and printmaker, associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting.
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