Artwork
Haymaking
Haymaking is an unspecified painting by the Realist artist William Howis senior. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.
About this work
Overview
William Howis senior’s 1857 oil painting *Haymaking* is part of the National Gallery of Ireland’s collection. The work presents a quiet rural tableau in which a sizeable haystack occupies the right foreground, while figures attend to the task of gathering hay. A solitary tree and a low fence frame the composition, and a softly diffused sky and distant foliage complete the landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a moment of agricultural labor, emphasizing the rhythm of seasonal work in a 19th‑century countryside. The arrangement of workers around the haystack suggests communal effort, while the tranquil atmosphere conveys a harmonious relationship between people and the land, reflecting a nostalgic view of rural life.
Technique & Style
Howis employs a warm palette of golden yellows and earth tones that lend the canvas a calm, rustic ambience. Brushwork is relatively loose, allowing the forms of hay, foliage, and figures to suggest movement without precise detail. The hazy background and softened edges create depth while maintaining a cohesive, atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1857, *Haymaking* entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display. The work exemplifies Howis senior’s focus on everyday Irish scenes, and its presence in the national collection underscores its relevance to the visual record of 19th‑century Irish agrarian life.
Artist & collection
