The Harvest Moon

From 1845-1858 Mason was based in Italy where he developed a close friendship with the Italian landscape painter and patriotic revolutionary Giovanni Costa. Together they developed a method which they called ‘the Etruscan’, which involved preparing a picture in monochrome before laying on the final colour. Following his return to Britain Mason became known for his idyllic landscapes as seen in this harvesting scene. Fluid brushwork and rich colouring emphasise the sheer beauty of the pastoral scene, while suppressing the sense of back-breaking work that was the reality of harvest time.