[1] It shows a scene of the artist's interpretation of Samuel Woodworth's poem The Old Oaken Bucket, set in a typical Moses winter setting.
The figures are taking part in various scenes described by the poem, but the central object, the oaken bucket itself, is barely visible near the well.
A summer version of this painting won the New York State Prize in 1941 and the subject became a bestseller for the artist.
The painting was previously owned by Garson Kanin and Ruth Gordon.
[1] The painting also became the cover for Cathie Pelletier's novel The Weight of Winter, in 1991.