The Early Plowman
1861
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1861
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This black-and-white print shows a quiet forest scene at dusk. A lone plowman guides two oxen along a narrow path, pulling a simple plow. Tall trees frame the scene, and a faint figure stands in the shadows to the right. The artist used soft shading to create depth, making the trees and sky feel misty. The oxen look tired, and the light is fading fast. Next, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists use light and shadow like this.
