Hay cleaning

In the middle of summer Russian peasants start to procure hay for winter. During the hottest summer days they work hard in the fields and meadows because they are pressed for time.

In August grass and plants become dry and torrid. Mowing is a very important time in Russian agriculture. Here we can see how talented Palekh artist Marina Kuznetsova (born in 1962) has painted this realistic moment from peasant life. The box is made of paper-mache. Black lacquer covers the exterior and red lacquer covers the interior of the box. The lid isn't hinged and the box sits flat. The work is signed with the artist name, Palekh, title- Hay Cleaning and date (2001).