Hay gathering 1970

Ivan Generalic created this folk painting, "Hay Gathering," with oil on glass, using vibrant colors to depict a scene of rural life. Notice how Generalic organizes the composition through a flattened perspective, where the foreground, middle ground, and background are stacked almost on top of each other, reducing depth. The artist uses a limited palette of earthy tones alongside bright reds and yellows, creating a visual rhythm that guides the viewer's eye across the canvas. The rounded forms of trees and figures contribute to the painting's folksy charm, but they also reflect a sophisticated understanding of abstract form. This approach challenges traditional notions of perspective and realism, inviting a modern reinterpretation of folk art. The painting presents a world where formal elements emphasize structure, composition, and the very essence of representing space and form.