Yellow Haystacks

Paul Gauguin's Yellow Haystacks (1889) is a vibrant depiction of rural life, blending symbolic color with simplified forms. The scene features two women working around large, golden haystacks, their clothing and postures evoking the labor and rhythm of a harvest. The haystacks dominate the composition, their rich yellow tones glowing against the lush greenery and muted hues of the surrounding landscape. Gauguin’s brushstrokes are broad and expressive, emphasizing texture and the interplay of light across the scene. In the background, stylized trees and a rustic structure suggest a pastoral setting, while the foreground is dotted with stones, creating a natural frame for the figures. This work exemplifies Gauguin’s synthesis of rural imagery with his characteristic approach to color and abstraction, celebrating the connection between people and the land.