Season Diane Dillon

The artwork presents a scene of agricultural labor, rendered in a style reminiscent of Japanese woodblock prints. Here we see four figures engaged in harvesting what appears to be rice or wheat. The composition is structured around a central line of dense stalks that recede into the background, creating a sense of depth and emphasizing the scale of the harvest.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – ochre, amber, and russet – which evoke the autumnal season suggested in the inscription below: And a time to pluck up that which is planted. The foliage of the tree overhead mirrors this warmth, its leaves depicted as flat planes of orange-red against a pale sky. This limited color range contributes to a feeling of unity and tranquility within the scene.
The figures themselves are stylized; their faces lack detailed features, yet they convey a sense of focused effort. One figure bends over with a scythe, while another carries a large basket overflowing with harvested grain on his shoulder. Two more individuals work together, one supporting the weight of the harvest as the other guides them forward. Their postures and coordinated actions suggest a communal undertaking, highlighting the importance of collective labor in agricultural societies.
The artists choice to depict these laborers from a slightly low angle further emphasizes their connection to the land and the abundance it provides. The overall impression is one of cyclical renewal – the culmination of planting season leading into the harvest, with an implicit promise of future growth. There’s a quiet dignity in the depiction of this work, elevating a commonplace activity to something worthy of artistic representation.