"There's a time each year that we always hold dear, good old summer time;
with the birds and the tree's and sweet scented breezes,
good old summer time, When your day's work is over then you are in clover,
and life is one beautiful rhyme, No trouble annoying, each one is enjoying,
the good old summer time."
"In the Good Old Summertime" by by Ren Shields
Image generated by Microsoft Copilot
When I was in my early teens, I would spend summer on a nearby Scottish Island where I was always happy to help the farmer bring in the harvest whether it be wheat, barley or hay. It was hard work but always brought a sense of joy.
Now when I see images of a harvest or paintings like Bruegel's The Harvesters, they resonate with a deep, almost archetypal connection to the land and the cycles of nature.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder | The Harvesters | The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Harvest time historically signifies abundance, completion, and the culmination of months of labour and care. It's a moment of satisfaction and celebration, where the fruits of hard work are finally realized, and communities come together in gratitude and festivity.
In artistic representations like Bruegel's, there’s also a rich narrative element that speaks to these themes. Paintings of harvest scenes often depict not just the act of harvesting but also the communal aspect—people working together, sharing meals, and resting amidst the fields. This can evoke feelings of connection to others and to the rhythms of nature, reminding us of the fundamental human experiences of work, rest, and nourishment.
Additionally, harvest imagery can symbolize broader themes of reap what you sow, reflecting on personal growth and the results of one's efforts over time. This can make such art deeply personal and reflective, stirring feelings tied to one’s own experiences of effort, reward, and the passage of seasons in life. Does this connection to the harvest resonate with your own experiences or feelings?