The painting captures a tranquil rural scene where two oxen stand patiently on a dirt path, their white coats speckled with shadows that suggest the soft light of either dawn or dusk. To the right, a large wooden cart laden with freshly harvested hay is carefully tended by two workers, their figures blending into the natural hues of the countryside. The composition balances the solidity of the oxen and cart against the open and expansive sky, which stretches calmly above the horizon in gentle blues and muted grays. The brushwork is loose yet deliberate, with delicate touches that evoke the textures of the animals’ fur and the rough wood of the cart, all rendered in an earthy palette of greens, browns, and subtle ochres.

This work embodies a serene moment in rural life, evoking the quiet dignity and rhythm of agricultural labor. The muted color scheme and soft light create a peaceful mood, inviting viewers to imagine the gentle sounds of nature—the rustling hay, the low breathing of the oxen, and the distant calls of the countryside. Painted in 1862, this piece reflects a period when artists were beginning to turn their gaze to everyday rural scenes, capturing the authenticity and simplicity of life outside urban centers. The artist’s technique, blending impressionistic brushstrokes with naturalistic detail, adds to the emotional resonance, making the viewer feel both the weight of the cart and the vast openness of the surrounding landscape.