Long Barn

Silos are not uncommon in the landscape of Nouvelle Aquitaine in south-west France. The variation of style and size is incredible and they can range from metal, to brick, to concrete, stone or even wood. Much depends on the era in which the silo was constructed and its principal use. Many of the large silos belong to cooperatives and this one at Gout-Rossignol in the Dordogne, is one such collection of silos serving the agricultural needs of the area.

This group of round grey silos, variable in size and with their domed roofs are reminiscent, at first glance, of small old village dwellings such as can be seen at the Périgordin hamlet of Bories du Breuil. But alongside it are the futuristic addition of signs of agriculture on an industrial scale and the array of chimneys and gantrys, pipes and conveyors take us to a completely different world. This is anything but small and the ensemble sits loudly by the side of the Angoulme to Riberac road.

Humbly alongside is a long barn, ostensibly quite detached from the structures that dwarf it, it seems to be sinking into the rich brown soil that surrounds it, in total opposition to the large grey cylinders that appear to be rising up towards the sky. As humble as the barn itself, a tree defies the rule to plough and sow every inch and hugs the barn, the two clinging together in close security and hoping to be spared.

Artist’s notes:
After years of painting the silo nearest to my home I started out on a mission to paint many and varied silos that appealed to me in composition around the variable landscapes of France. As with all architecture, shapes of silos can be regional and one style of silo, common in a certain region of France may be totally missing from another region. Likewise age and agricultural need dictate size, form and materials used.

In this painting I wanted to depict the overall cool tones of the season, the similarity of colour between the sky and silos on a grey February day. But the paint is layered and underneath the greys are warmer tones that are complimented by the red- brown hues in the ploughed field. Similarly this too has its touches of grey in the small stones and rocks that pepper the surface of the rich earth.