When Evening Descends upon the Harvest 19th-20th century

Editor: This is "When Evening Descends upon the Harvest" by R. A. Dobois, located at the Harvard Art Museums. It has such a somber feel to it. What do you see in this piece in terms of its formal qualities? Curator: The stark contrast between light and shadow immediately draws the eye. Note how the artist employs a limited tonal range, effectively flattening the composition and emphasizing the shapes. Editor: Are you talking about the stacks of hay? Curator: Precisely. Consider their placement in relation to the horizon line. The repetition of forms creates a sense of rhythm, yet the variation in their sizes disrupts any predictable pattern. What effect does this have? Editor: It makes the eye wander around the space of the artwork. I had never thought about an artwork's shape in this way before. Thanks!