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October in the Western Hemisphere is full of wavering hope. Freshly picked squash gets pride of place at the store, people in the neighborhood FB group try to decipher which pumpkin patch is least MAGA, and endless cups of coffee are blessed or marred (depending on your persuasion) by “pumpkin spice.” Much of the year passes in a blur of seasons distorted by rising temperatures and changing weather patterns, but fall has a stronger hold that I find sweet and bitter.

Less than a hundred years ago, in 1930, 21% of the U.S. labor force was in agriculture. Now, only 2% of the U.S. population are farmers or ranchers. So few live intimately connected to the growing seasons, and yet when October rolls around I feel a collective longing for something different. This yearning is good, though, because it can lead to seeking out relationships with local farmers and crops. LocalHarvest is a helpful place to start.

Today’s Art Meal considers the labor and rewards of the harvest. With works from the 1800s through 1984, artists explore the tension of this theme. There is no abundant harvest without a lot of work.

Harvest is the second edition of this monthly feature for paid subscribers to dive into my archives of art about food, art with food as its subject, and food that is art. Any art that references consumption and the labor of it qualifies in my very official reckoning.

Now, get yourself a mug of cider and press play on Neil Young’s album Harvest before scrolling on to your next Art Meal…

The Colza (Harvesting Rapeseed)

The Colza (Harvesting Rapeseed) by Jules Breton (1860)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Jules Breton
Date: 1860
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

The Harvesters

The Harvesters by Art Landy (1940)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Art Landy
Date: c. 1940

The Harvesters' Lunch

The Harvesters' Lunch by Jean-François Janinet (1774)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Jean-François Janinet after Pierre Alexandre Wille
Date: 1774
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

Untitled (Woman Harvesting Wheat)

Untitled (Woman Harvesting Wheat) by Peppino Mangravite (1946)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Peppino Mangravite
Date: 1946

Pea Harvesters [recto]

Pea Harvesters [recto] by Camille Pissarro (c. 1880)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Camille Pissarro
Date: c. 1880
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

Grape Harvesters

Grape Harvesters by Harry Bertoia (1941)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Harry Bertoia
Date: 1941

Harvest at San Juan, New Mexico

Harvest at San Juan, New Mexico by Peter Moran (c. 1883)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Peter Moran
Date: c. 1883
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

Women Harvesting (Jeunes filles ramassant dessarments de vigne: Deuxieme planche)

Women Harvesting by Aristide Maillol (in or after 1938)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Aristide Maillol
Date: in or after 1938

Siesta of a Harvester (Sieste d'un faucheur)

Siesta of a Harvester by Alphonse Legros (late 1800s)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Alphonse Legros
Date: late 1800s
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

Indian Harvest

Indian Harvest by Gene Kloss (1934)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Gene Kloss
Date: 1934

Harvest

Harvest by Joel-Peter Witkin (1984)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: Joel-Peter Witkin
Date: 1984

Watch Witkin give the backstory of the artwork here and watch a trailer for the documentary about him and his estranged brother (also an accomplished artist) here.

Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon by George Inness (1891)

Source: National Gallery of Art
Artist: George Inness
Date: 1891
This object’s media is free and in the public domain.

Any ideas for Art Meal themes or artworks to share?

Hit reply or comment! Upcoming themes: Salad, Kitchen Objects, and a closer look at Alison Knowles’ Identical Lunch project.

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