SOLD: Going Home

“It evokes that Friday-feeling of relief—of finishing work and looking forward to putting your feet up.”

It’s hard to believe Easter and Passover are upon us already. It seems as if moments ago we were getting ready for the winter holidays, and everything has been non-stop since then. Especially when things are busy, spring holidays are a time to reflect on the changing seasons, take a quiet moment, and reconnect with friends, family and tradition.

R & R

Hulings’ 1974 work, Going Home, is a lovely end-of-day study set in Spain, and a chance to relax and contemplate. It evokes that Friday-feeling of relief—of finishing work and looking forward to putting your feet up with friends while enjoying some paella and a glass of Rioja crianza. The mule is probably ready to have a break from the bridle and harness, and to hang out with the other animals for some water and hay.

To the Left, To the Left

Most of the world’s written languages read left to right, and the European art tradition often places the first things we are invited to look at in the top left corner. An idea that follows from this, is that figures facing the right of the frame can feel like they are on their way to somewhere, and figures going toward the left can seem as if they’re on their way back. Hulings is using these conventions to great effect here: the overhanging tree is in the first spot we might look, providing a frame for the mule and cart and also some shade for the two hard workers; and “home” in this case is on a very slight diagonal left. There’s a dynamic pull in the young man’s physical position on the cart, leaning back a little and gazing ahead—he looks healthy and strong and as if he’s been in the sun. The green of the fields is refreshing and easy on the eyes, and is brought to life by the rose and ochre in the hills.