Ploughing: Study for 'The Mantle of Elijah'
1859
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
1859
oil
From the collection of Fitzwilliam Museum
In this painting, a man is depicted ploughing a field with the help of an ox. The man is shown in profile, wearing a simple tunic and holding a long stick that guides the ox. The ox is shown in a three-quarter view, its head bent down as it pulls the plough through the earth. The background of the painting is a hazy, rural landscape with rolling hills and a few trees in the distance. The overall mood of the painting is one of quiet industry, with the man and the ox working together in harmony. The artist's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts of light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds depth and dimension to the scene. Next, I'd like to look at the work of artist George Richmond.
