Ploegende ossen (1927)

"Ploegende ossen" (Plowing Oxen), created in 1927 by Dutch artist Bernard Essers, is a striking example of his skill in the medium of linocut. The composition captures a rural scene filled with a sense of motion and the everyday toil of agrarian life. In the foreground, two oxen, rendered with strong, bold lines, pull a plow, guided by a plowman whose posture evokes both determination and strain. Near the center, a man on horseback appears in dialogue with another worker, perhaps discussing the day's tasks.The landscape depicted is both rugged and nurturing, including an expansive tree with a heavily textured canopy that dominates the upper space, seeming to protectively arch over the scene. Beyond, the backdrop is softly curved hills and a neatly outlined farm with buildings that suggest a quiet, orderly presence in the midst of nature's grandeur and the rigors of farm work.Birds, swirling in the sky, add a dynamic element to the scene, suggesting the ongoing passage of time and the interconnectivity of life cycles in rural environments. The overall effect of the artwork is a powerful visual narrative that respects the timeless relationship between humans, animals, and the land they cultivate—a theme that transcends specific periods and localities, resonating universally.