A Man and a Youth ploughing with Oxen Nicolaes (Claes Pietersz.) Berchem (1620-1683)

The composition presents a rural scene centered around agricultural labor. Here we observe two figures engaged in ploughing with oxen across a gently sloping field. The older man, positioned slightly ahead, guides the team while a younger individual follows behind, seemingly assisting or learning the trade. Their attire suggests modest means and a connection to the land; both are clad in simple garments, indicative of rural working-class status.
The landscape itself is rendered with considerable detail. A dense thicket dominates the right side of the canvas, contrasting with the open field on the left where a solitary figure can be discerned in the distance. The terrain transitions from cultivated earth to wilder vegetation, hinting at the boundary between human intervention and untamed nature. Above, a dramatic sky filled with billowing clouds creates a sense of atmospheric depth and contributes to the overall mood. Light plays across the scene, illuminating the figures and oxen while casting shadows that add volume and dimension to the landscape.
Beyond the literal depiction of agricultural work, the painting seems to explore themes of generational continuity and the cyclical nature of labor. The presence of both an older and younger man suggests a passing down of skills and traditions. The oxen themselves symbolize the enduring reliance on animal power in this rural setting.
The subdued color palette – dominated by earthy tones of brown, green, and ochre – reinforces the sense of groundedness and connection to the natural world. The vastness of the sky juxtaposed with the small scale of the figures emphasizes humanity’s place within a larger, timeless landscape. There is an underlying feeling of quiet dignity in the depiction of this everyday labor, elevating it beyond mere toil into something imbued with meaning and tradition.

The artists choice to focus on this specific moment – the act of ploughing – suggests a reverence for the fundamental processes that sustain human life and connect individuals to the land.