Photographer: Michael Joseph
Date: 1970s
Image Largeur: 390 mm Hauteur: 490 mm
Mount: L 500 mm H 700 mm
This black-and-white photograph captures a moment of rustic charm and quiet camaraderie, as two men pause for a contemplative smoke amidst towering bales of hay. The man on the left, perched casually atop the straw, exudes a laid-back confidence. Dressed in well-worn trousers, sturdy boots, and a flat cap, he gazes into the distance as wisps of smoke curl lazily from his lips, as though lost in thought or perhaps exchanging an unspoken joke with his companion.
The second man reclines comfortably against the haycart, his posture both relaxed and theatrical. His hands loosely cradle his pipe, and his tilted head, topped with a similar cap, suggests that he’s savoring the same fleeting moment of leisure. The hay bales envelop them, almost sculptural in form, their rough texture contrasting beautifully with the smooth road that cuts through the frame. Behind them, leafy branches sprawl into the sky, grounding this scene in a pastoral dreamscape.
Together, the two figures appear frozen in time, embodying a timeless image of rural life—one of hard work punctuated by stolen moments of simple pleasure. The photograph tells a story of both labor and ease, where the rhythm of life flows with the seasons and the stillness of the countryside lingers long after the smoke has faded.
Sold with an off-white mount, not signed by the photographer
