y plowed earth. To be
sure, it is a hard pull up the hill, but how cheerfully, even proudly,
the oxen pull their load! Look at their backs; you will see a slanting
line which emphasizes the fact that they are climbing a hill. This
line is broken somewhat by the slant of the woods in the distance.
Cover up these distant woods with the hand or a piece of paper and we
immediately have the uncomfortable feeling that the oxen are going to
slip back out of the picture.

In this picture the artist has portrayed the intelligent use man makes
of the power and strength of animals and of the soil. We see so few
oxen now that we wonder why they were so much used in those days; but
of course we know it was because the farmers did not have the
machinery for tilling the ground, sowing, and planting grain that we
have. Horses were used also, but oxen were cheaper, so all could
afford them. Then, too, oxen may have been chosen because of their
superior strength, steadiness, and patience.

The artist has centered our attention on the nearest of the two first
pairs of oxen. The other oxen and driver are of secondary importance
and the landscape itself last of all. The artist has accomplished this
by color, light, and shade, and by a more careful treatment of the
nearest oxen, showing plainly their intelligent eyes, wrinkled hides,
and even the play of muscles as they step forward, pulling their heavy
load.

Rosa Bonheur finished this painting only a short time before her father
died. As soon as he saw it he knew that his daughter had painted a
masterpiece, and almost his last words were in praise of her work.

=Questions to help the pupil understand the picture.= Why do you think
these men and oxen must have started to work very early? Why do you
think it is still early? What time of year do you think it is? why?
Where did Rosa Bonheur paint this picture? Where did she keep her
canvas and paints? What preparation did she make before painting the
picture? What is the driver doing? In what humor does the nearest ox
seem to be? How are the oxen geared together? Why must they have good
leaders? How are oxen driven? Why do you think these drivers would not
use the same words that we should? How can you tell that the ground is
soft? Do you think the oxen are pulling hard? Why did they use oxen so
much in those days? What are used now? Upon which of the oxen has the
artist centered our attention? What is next in importance? last of
all? H