Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Harvest

George Stubbs, 1785

Name Class Date
George Stubbs, Harvest (1785). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
George Stubbs originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/george-stubbs/
Artist’s dates
1724 – 1806
Painted
1785
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Original size
53 x 35 cm
Movement
Romanticism Art that puts feeling, wildness and the power of nature above calm order and rules.
Period
Early Modern
Artistic style
Romanticism
Notable elements
Horses, carts, and soft brushstrokes
Subject or theme
Rural life and harvest

Copyright This work is in the public domain. George Stubbs died in 1806; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1876.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

Harvest — George Stubbs Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Harvest — George Stubbs

How big is it?

The original measures 53 × 35 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1720
  2. 1730
  3. 1740
  4. 1750
  5. 1760
  6. 1770
  7. 1780
  8. 1790
  9. 1800

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 82 at death.

Painted when the artist was 61. The artist lived to 82. 99 of the 136 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of George Stubbs (1724–1806) ▲ this work, 1785 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1765 Main working years: 1765–1785 Late works: from 1785

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Phthalo Green #261b0f

    Catalogued palette

    • #261B0F
    • #94734D
    • #D1D4C3
    • #5D3D23

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Phthalo Green
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Balanced Harmony How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by George Stubbs over the last twelve months — 14 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 65.6%8,200 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 15.2%1,900 visits
    3. 3 Singapore 5.6%700 visits
    4. 4 Hong Kong 4.0%500 visits
    5. 5 Canada 1.6%200 visits
    6. 6 Guatemala 1.6%200 visits
    7. 7 Australia 0.8%100 visits
    8. 8 Brazil 0.8%100 visits
    9. 9 Colombia 0.8%100 visits
    10. 10 United Kingdom 0.8%100 visits
    11. · 4 other countries 3.2%400 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by George Stubbs

    1. 1 A Bay Hunter With Two Spaniels, 1777 20.6%3,500 visits
    2. 2 The Grosvenor Hunt, 1762 2.9%500 visits
    3. 3 A bay hunter galloping in a mountainous landscape 2.9%500 visits
    4. 4 Lion Attacking a Horse, 1765 2.4%400 visits
    5. 5 Horse Frightened by a Lion, 1770 2.4%400 visits
    6. 6 Tiger, 1771 2.4%400 visits
    7. 7 Finished study for, 1758 2.4%400 visits
    8. 8 Molly Long-legs with her Jockey, 1762 1.8%300 visits
    9. 9 Firetail with his Trainer by the Rubbing-Down House on Newmarket Heath, 1773 1.8%300 visits
    10. 10 Lord Grosvenor, 1765 1.8%300 visits
    11. 11 Rhinoceros, 1792 1.8%300 visits
    12. 12 The Prince of Wales, 1793 1.8%300 visits
    13. 13 Joseph Smyth Esquire, Lieutenant of Whittlebury Forest, Northamptonshire, on a Dapple Grey Horse, 1764 1.8%300 visits
    14. 14 Fino and Tiny, 1791 1.8%300 visits
    15. 15 Prince of Wales Phaeton, 1793 1.8%300 visits
    16. 16 The Lincolnshire Ox, 1790 1.2%200 visits
    17. 17 A Lion Attacking a Stag, 1766 1.2%200 visits
    18. 18 James Stanley, 1755 1.2%200 visits
    19. 19 Harvest, 1785 this painting 1.2%200 visits
    20. 20 Freeman, The Earl of Clarendon's Gamekeeper, with a Dying Doe and Hound, 1800 1.2%200 visits

    Together these works take 56.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 194 works by this artist, of which 76 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 19 of them, with 1.2% of that attention (200 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    Harvest — George Stubbs Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Harvest — George Stubbs

    A Symphony of Rural Labor and Golden Light

    In the gentle embrace of George Stubbs’s 1785 masterpiece, Harvest, the viewer is transported to an era where the rhythm of life was dictated by the turning of the seasons and the strength of the land. This exquisite oil on canvas serves as a profound window into the Romantic movement, capturing not merely a moment in time, but the very soul of the English countryside. The scene unfolds with a breathtaking sense of vitality, depicting a community united in the seasonal ritual of gathering crops. Through his masterful command of composition, Stubbs directs our gaze across a landscape teeming with life, where the diligent movements of laborers and the steady presence of livestock create a tapestry of industrious peace.

    The painting’s technical brilliance lies in its ability to balance grand scale with intimate detail. Stubbs, renowned for his anatomical precision, brings an unparalleled realism to the horses and carts that anchor the composition. On the right side of the canvas, a horse pulls a heavy cart laden with hay, its muscular form rendered with such tactile accuracy that one can almost sense the strain and power of the animal. This sense of movement is beautifully contrasted by the soft, atmospheric brushstrokes that define the horizon and the sky. The palette is dominated by warm, sun-drenched hues—golds, ambers, and earthy ochres—which bathe the entire scene in a nostalgic, serene glow, evoking the warmth of a late summer afternoon.

    The Poetic Resonance of the English Landscape

    Beyond its surface beauty, Harvest is steeped in the symbolism of the Romantic era, emphasizing the profound connection between humanity and nature. The presence of the dog near the bottom left corner and the scattered figures throughout the field suggest a harmonious ecosystem where every creature plays a vital role. There is an inherent dignity in the depiction of manual labor; Stubbs does not merely document work, but elevates it to a form of quiet heroism. The composition is meticulously balanced, ensuring that while the focus remains on the human element, the vastness of the landscape provides a sense of eternal continuity.

    For the discerning collector or interior designer, this painting offers more than just aesthetic appeal; it provides an emotional anchor for any space. Its ability to evoke feelings of tranquility, nostalgia, and respect for tradition makes it a timeless addition to a curated collection. Whether placed in a sunlit library or a grand dining hall, a high-quality reproduction of this work brings with it the prestige of 18th-century English art. It serves as a conversation piece that invites contemplation on the enduring beauty of the natural world and the quiet strength found in the cycles of life.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    Harvest — George Stubbs Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    George Stubbs

    Born in Liverpool, United Kingdom

    early life and training

    george stubbs, a renowned english painter, was born on august 25, 1724, in liverpool, united kingdom. his early life was marked by a sparse record of his activities until the age of 35, with most information sourced from ozias humphry's memoirs, based on conversations with stubbs in 1794. stubbs began his artistic journey at the age of 15, initially working under his father, a currier or leather-dresser. he later approached hamlet winstanley, a lancashire painter and engraver, for a brief apprenticeship. this short stint allowed him to study the collection at knowsley hall.

    artistic development and notable works

    stubbs's passion for anatomy led him to move to york in 1744, where he studied under surgeon charles atkinson at york county hospital. one of his earliest surviving works is a set of illustrations for john burton's textbook on midwifery, published in 1751. in 1756, stubbs rented a farmhouse in lincolnshire and spent 18 months dissecting horses, assisted by his common-law wife, mary spencer. this led to the publication of the anatomy of the horse in 1766, with original drawings now housed at the royal academy. stubbs's work was soon recognized by leading aristocratic patrons, including the 3rd duke of richmond, who commissioned three large pictures in 1759. this marked the beginning of his successful career, with works produced for several dukes and lords, culminating in the purchase of a house in marylebone, london.

    legacy and notable paintings

    stubbs's most famous work, whistlejacket, a painting of a prancing horse commissioned by the 2nd marquess of rockingham, is now housed at the national gallery in london. this and two other paintings for rockingham break with convention, featuring plain backgrounds.

    whistlejacket, a thoroughbred race horse rising on his hind legs, showcases stubbs's unparalleled skill in capturing the essence of horses.

    stubbs's series of paintings on a lion attacking a horse are early examples of the romantic movement, demonstrating his influence on 18th-century art.

    stubbs's legacy as an equine artist remains unmatched, with his works continuing to inspire and awe art enthusiasts worldwide.

    view stubbs's artwork at https://AllPaintingsStore.com/@/george_stubbs

    explore the national gallery in london's collection, featuring stubbs's notable works, at /en/art/show/art-8xyffg-en/

    learn more about stubbs's life and work on wikipedia at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/george_stubbs

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Harvest

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Stubbs, George. Harvest. 1785, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/
    APA
    Stubbs, George (1785). Harvest [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/
    Chicago
    George Stubbs. Harvest. 1785. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/
    Harvard
    Stubbs, George (1785) Harvest. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/george-stubbs-harvest-8XY3YU-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    Harvest — George Stubbs Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Harvest — George Stubbs

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: people, horse, cart. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Lion Attacking a Horse (1765), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Romanticism: Art that puts feeling, wildness and the power of nature above calm order and rules. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    Harvest — George Stubbs Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    How is the color composition of "Harvest" by George Stubbs built?

    The color analysis of "Harvest" by George Stubbs records a statement contrast and a balanced harmony harmony.

    Where does "Harvest" by George Stubbs sit in art history?

    The art-historical classification of "Harvest" by George Stubbs is Romanticism, in the Early-Modern period.

    What does "Harvest" by George Stubbs depict?

    The themes present in "Harvest" by George Stubbs include people, horse, cart, hay, dog, field, landscape. Together they summarize the artwork's subject matter.