Alfred Thörne - Harvest Scene With Farmer and Scythe

Alfred Thörne (1850-1916) Sweden

Harvest Scene With Farmer and Scythe, 1886

oil on canvas
signed and dated Alf Thorne 1886
unframed 43.5 x 28.5 cm
framed 63 x 48 cm

Essay:
"Harvest Scene With Farmer and Scythe, 1886" is a captivating painting by the Swedish artist Alfred Thörne. Created during his travels through Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium between 1884 and 1886, this artwork reflects the artist's keen observation of rural life and his skill in capturing the essence of human labor.

The painting portrays a farmer in the midst of his daily work, bending over with a scythe in hand, cutting through the tall grass. The composition is intimate, focusing on the solitary figure of the man, who is dressed in typical work attire of the period: a white vest over a long-sleeved shirt and dark trousers. His posture suggests a moment of deep concentration and effort, a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who work the land.

The background of the painting is subtly rendered, with soft hues that do not distract from the central figure, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the farmer's form and the texture of the grass. The light is diffused, giving the scene a tranquil yet serious atmosphere, which may indicate the early morning or late afternoon—the prime times for such labor.

Artist's Background: Alfred Thörne was born on April 24, 1850, in Horn, Östergötland, Sweden, and passed away on March 15, 1916, in Stockholm. He was the son of shoemaker Sven Petter Thörne and Inga Catrina Nilsdotter. Thörne studied under Per Daniel Holm at the Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts in Stockholm from 1874 to 1880, where he earned the royal medal in 1880 for his painting "Sommarmorgon."

Thörne became an agré (associate member) of the academy in 1881, and in 1884, he received a travel scholarship that allowed him to study in Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium. His works were exhibited in various prestigious venues, including the Stockholm exhibitions with Olof Hermelin in 1910, the Nordic Art and Industrial Exhibition in Copenhagen in 1888, and the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. His public works include an altarpiece for Vimmerby Church and numerous landscapes and portraits.

Thörne’s paintings is held in several Swedish museums, including the Nordic Museum, Nationalmuseum, Östergötlands Museum, Norrköpings Art Museum, Gävle Museum, and Sundsvall Museum.