In Le Repos du Faucheur, Lhermitte portrays a group of three reapers, farm laborers who harvest crops, taking a momentary respite from their arduous work. One woman stands, her back turned to the viewer, leaning on her scythe, the instrument of her labor. Another figure on the right is asleep, using a bundle of hay as a makeshift pillow. Although our painting dates from 1899, it recalls Lhermitte’s earlier work. During that period, he portrayed the modern-day peasant as a mythological or historical hero, dignified, proud, and in large formats. The central figure in our painting, shown stretching on the ground after his mid-day nap with his right arm resting on his forehead, echoes the gesture from the peasant in La Moisson (1883), one of Lhermitte’s most celebrated scenes from his early period. Unlike Jean-François Millet, Lhermitte was concerned with depicting the heroism of the field worker, but as an individual rather than a type. In our painting, the figures are not simply representatives of a class. They are actual, identifiable individuals from Lhermitte’s village, self-aware and self-motivated. The present scene is a living reality; rural life does not represent the past but the present.   

 

Lhermitte’s dedication to intricate details is evident in every aspect of the painting. He skillfully captures the textures of the peasants’ clothing, the hatched stalks of wheat, the roughness of the wooden scythe, and the play of light across the surrounding landscape. The composition exudes a profound sense of humanity, encapsulating the inherent dignity in the life of a laborer and underscoring the significance of taking a moment of reprieve amidst demanding work. The weary yet serene expressions on the faces depict their exhaustion yet also their tranquility. The painting is bathed in warm, golden tones, creating a serene ambiance that enhances the sense of peaceful contemplation and relaxation.

 

Le Repos du Faucheur serves as a poignant tribute to the resilience of the rural French workforce, highlighting their inherent strength and endurance. Lhermitte’s remarkable ability to infuse ordinary scenes with profound emotion and meaning attests to his skill in capturing the everyday lives of peasants with deep empathy and precision. His work transcends time, resonating universally and making it a relatable masterpiece.