Tillers of the Soil
Sybil Andrews Canadian, born England
Not on view
Andrews made numerous prints inspired by her hometown of Bury St Edmunds and the agricultural activities around which the local economy was based. Tillers of the Soil is dominated by a team of Shire horses. Designated as laborers, these massive animals engage in grueling physical work in tandem with the farmer. Their sturdy, thick bodies connect them to the land, while their legs, raised in unison, and the prominent yokes around their necks indicate the rigor of the chores they perform. They exist in stark contrast to the pedigreed horses used in leisure activities, such as steeplechases and horseback riding, enjoyed by the middle class and wealthy. The elongated forms of these elegant animals are often shown effortlessly leaping in works such as Andrews’s In Full Cry.
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