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Image Licensing : Ploughing OP04506
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Ploughing OP04506
A newly ploughed field near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The farmer on his tractor is sillouhetted on the horizon. Photographed by John Gay during 1950s 1960s. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 1379190
Filename: op04506.jpg
Size: 3855 x 4890 (6.5MB)
Date: 22nd January 2009
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Archive
Source: English Heritage Images
Job Title: Photographer
Agriculture Arable Farming Field Silhouette Tractor
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Historic Images > 1960 to the present day
> Historic Images > Famed Photographers > John Gay Collection (1945-1990)
> Industry > Agricultural History
> Landscapes > Farming and rural economy
> Landscapes > Rural Landscapes
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, titled "Ploughing OP04506," captures the essence of rural life in post-war England. Taken by renowned photographer John Gay during the 1950s or 1960s, the image presents a newly ploughed arable field near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The field, freshly turned over and still bearing the distinct furrows of the plough, stretches out towards the horizon, its rich, dark soil contrasting starkly with the bright, clear sky above. At the edge of the field, a lone farmer can be seen silhouetted against the horizon. Sitting atop his trusted tractor, he guides the machine with purposeful determination, leaving behind a trail of freshly turned earth in his wake. The tractor, a symbol of modern agricultural technology, stands in stark contrast to the traditional methods of farming that had long defined the English countryside. The photograph captures a moment of transition, as the old gives way to the new. The farmer, a stalwart figure in the face of change, embodies the resilience and adaptability of the rural community. The scene is one of hard work, dedication, and the unyielding cycle of nature. It is a poignant reminder of a time when the connection between man and the land was a deeply personal and intimate one. John Gay's photograph is not only a beautiful work of art, but also a testament to the enduring spirit of English agriculture. It invites us to reflect on the past, while also acknowledging the importance of progress and the ever-evolving nature of rural life.
