Ploughing in the Nivernais (1849) byRosa Bonheur This painting depicts two teams of oxen ploughing
Ploughing in the Nivernais (1849) byRosa Bonheur This painting depicts two teams of oxen ploughing the land, and expresses the deep commitment to the land that was typical of the French Third Republic. The Nivernais, the area around Nevers, was known for its Charolais cattle, which was to play an important role in the agricultural revolution that took place in the area in the nineteenth century. Rosa Bonheur gained a reputation painting animals, and Ploughing in the Nivernais features twelve Charolais oxen, in two groups of six. On a sunny autumn day they plough the land; this is the sombrage, the first stage of soil preparation in the fall, which opens up the soil to aeration during the winter. Humans play a minor role in the painting– the farmer is almost completely hidden behind his animals. The freshly-ploughed land is prominent in the foreground, while the landscape behind is basking in sunlight. -- source link
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