There is a quiet dignity in this scene—one that feels almost timeless. Gathering the Last Light captures the rhythm of rural life at harvest’s edge, when the work is steady, communal, and guided as much by instinct as by daylight.
In this painting, Merrill Coffin turns his attention to the simple, essential act of bringing in hay. The figures are small against the landscape, yet purposeful. Each person bends, lifts, and rakes with practiced familiarity, their movements echoing generations of farm labor before them. There’s no rush here—just the calm determination of finishing the day’s work before the light fades.
The barn stands weathered but strong, a quiet witness to decades of seasons passing. Autumn trees glow in warm tones of rust and gold, their leaves mirroring the dry hay gathered below. Even the hills in the distance seem softened, as if the land itself is exhaling after a long growing season.
Merrill had a gift for portraying work without sentimentality, yet with deep respect. This isn’t romanticized labor—it’s honest, shared effort. The figures aren’t posed for the viewer; they’re absorbed in the task at hand. You can almost hear the rustle of hay, the low conversation, the pause to wipe a brow before lifting again.
Like many of his rural scenes, this painting reflects Merrill Coffin’s appreciation for everyday moments that often go unnoticed. It honors the people who shape the land quietly, season after season, and reminds us that beauty often lives in routine, cooperation, and the turning of the year.
Gathering the Last Light is a tribute to work done together—and to the enduring connection between people, place, and time.
If you happen to be the possessor of this artwork, we would greatly appreciate your contact. Unfortunately, we don’t possess any information about this particular piece- the title was created based on the subject matter.
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