Oxen Ploughing was painted in 1875. According to Annie-Paul Quinsac, both its brushwork and composition are characteristic of two pictures Rosa Bonheur painted during that year: Les Charbonniers and Le Labourage. Oxen Ploughing and Les Charbonniers both depict scenes set against the vast, open plains of the Berry region of France and the man holding the weep in Oxen Ploughing appears to be the same model as the man guiding the plough in Les Charbonniers.

We are grateful to Professor Annie-Paul Quinsac for her assistance in preparing this catalogue entry.