Harvest

Harvest time, and re-reading Sir James Frazer (not that I ever really stop reading him) I have been looking for ways in which our culture venerates the harvest (production of food without which human life would be impossible).



Above: many artists have portrayed the harvest scenes in idealised forms. This painting of hay-loading by George Stubbs (at Port Sunlight) shows rural workers in quasi-heroic poses (the scene was later reproduced in Wedgewood plaques). See also Gainsborough’s portrait of Mr and Mrs Andrews sitting by a cornfield.



Above: 1633 monument in Southwark cathedral in the form of an agricultural allegory. Standing corn is in the centre with two harvesters in smocks and wheaten hats. Notice the rake and pitchfork (other agricultural implements are scattered throughout the monument).



Above: all across the county harvest festivals have been held in the churches. This is a picture of the harvest loaf (made from the new corn) on the high altar of one church I went to. The name Lammas for the harvest festival derives from “loaf mass” (the loaf was used as the communion bread in the service).

More on Mr and Mrs Andrews: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr_and_Mrs_Andrews