Orka na Ukrainie 1904

This image, “Orka na Ukrainie,” which translates to “Plowing in Ukraine,” was made by Leon Wyczółkowski using crayon and lithography. The earth tones of the soil are mirrored in the bodies of the oxen, who pull a wooden plow in unison. The image highlights a method of manual cultivation that, while traditional, involves great labor. Wyczółkowski’s choice of lithography, a printmaking technique that relies on a stone matrix, mirrors the heavy work portrayed. Consider how the material and process amplify the image’s significance. Lithography requires physical strength, mirroring the labor of the farmers and their animals. Wyczółkowski elevates this to the level of fine art by depicting a crucial step in food production and a potent symbol of the agrarian lifestyle. This piece invites us to consider the value of manual labor, and the means of artistic production, challenging any divide between the fine arts and the crafts.