“The Reaper,” created by Ferdinand Hodler circa 1878, is an oil painting on canvas measuring 71.5 x 114 cm. This work exemplifies the Realism art movement and is categorized under the genre of genre painting.
The artwork portrays a solitary male figure standing in a pastoral landscape under a vast sky with a faint crescent moon. The man, attired in simple work clothes and a hat, concentrates on sharpening a large scythe, indicative of his profession as a reaper. A wooden cart and jug are situated nearby, suggesting recent or forthcoming agricultural labor. The scene is bathed in the soft light of dawn or dusk, highlighting the tranquil and industrious atmosphere of rural life. The expansive green fields and distant undulating hills serve as the backdrop, evoking a sense of serenity and timelessness.
