[1] Although the work cannot have been painted in the open air due to its large dimensions, Daubigny certainly tried to capture the fleeting reality of a Summer day in the country.

All of the activities are picturesquely grouped around a golden blaze such as men doubled over, women hurrying along the narrow paths, and people stooking sheaves of corn and loading carts.

The brothers Edmond and Jules de Goncourt devoted a long review in high praise of the work: "Men harvest bent and women hurry along the narrow paths and sheaves are tied and wagons loaded.

All these activities come together picturesquely in a golden glow, in which a brush without paint makes a plow furrow sparkle here and there (...).

The grain harvest has never been better depicted; (...) and Mr Daubigny's painting is a masterpiece, despite the neglect of the background."