Gleaners in a Wheat Field
Painting on canvas or board • Signed 'Lurz' (lower right). Likely a European regional artist active in the mid-century period.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Impressionism / Expressionist Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil painting with visible wet-on-wet technique, thick impasto in the wheat sheaves, and gestural brushwork.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
A rural scene depicting laborers harvesting or gleaning wheat under a dramatic, clouded sky. The figures are rendered with broad strokes, emphasizing movement and the toil of harvest. Golden sheaves of wheat contrast with a dark, earthy foreground and an expressive, turbulent sky.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paint layer appears stable, though there is visible surface grime and slight yellowing of the varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800
Auction Estimate
$300 - $500
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a regional art gallery or estate. The signature 'Lurz' suggests a German or Central European origin.
Art Historical Significance
A typical example of mid-century interest in pastoral and agrarian themes, echoing the Barbizon school and earlier Impressionist traditions while employing a more modern, expressive application of paint.
Notable Features
Distinctive impasto technique used to define the wheat stalks and a highly energetic, almost architectural treatment of the cloud formations. The rustic silver-washed wooden frame is reflective of mid-20th-century framing styles.
Condition Issues
Minor surface abrasions near the edges where the frame meets the support. Accumulated dust and slight darkening of the varnish layer.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a light re-varnishing would significantly brighten the palette. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.