Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
The Harvest Cart (1974)
Oil on canvas, 73 x 92cm (28¾ x 36¼'')
Signed and dated (19)'74; signed again and inscribed with title verso

Provenance: The artist's...

 

Basil Ivan Rákóczi (1908-1979)
The Harvest Cart (1974)
Oil on canvas, 73 x 92cm (28¾ x 36¼'')
Signed and dated (19)'74; signed again and inscribed with title verso

Provenance: The artist's family by descent.

Painted in June 1974, the Harvest Cart was a reprise of familiar themes for the artist, of family, harvest, the natural world and a more carefree vision of life.

 

The inspiration would have come from Roman mythology and the worship of Ceres, goddess of the harvest. The painting represents also the cycle of life and fertility. A family drives the cart, birds abound and the moon, sun and stars all radiate in the sky.

 

The painting is full of strong colour, another familiar theme from Rakoczis works, and gives a positive vision of life as represented through a decorated cart, music in the air, a couple looking lovingly at each other.

 

At this time in his life, Rakoczi, now 66, lived the summer months on the island of Majorca in a tiny house in the village of Fornalutx, in the mountains near Soller, which is where this piece was painted. He had suffered chest problems since childhood, and the better air in the mountains was important for him. He continued to enjoy his work here and at his Paris studio each winter, but sadly for only a few more years before. Ill health was slowly debilitating him and led to his death in 1979.

 

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