Battage Collection

Ms 5064 fol.35r Threshing, from 'Livre des Prouffitz Champestres' by Pietro de Crescenzi (1230-1320/21) (vellum)
XIR206473 Ms 5064 fol.35r Threshing, from 'Livre des Prouffitz Champestres' by Pietro de Crescenzi (1230-1320/21) (vellum) by French School, (15th century); Bibliotheque de L'Arsenal

Threshing, a Scottish Farm, 1884 (oil on canvas)
2601822 Threshing, a Scottish Farm, 1884 (oil on canvas) by Hamilton, James Whitelaw (1860-1932); 30.5x40.6 cm; Private Collection; Bourne Gallery, Reigate, Surrey; British, out of copyright

Quatrefoils of the Prophet Aggee: the Temple rebuilt, and the dried Earth
XIR164984 Quatrefoils of the Prophet Aggee: the Temple rebuilt, and the dried Earth, and quatrefoils with the Signs of the Zodiac and the Labours of the Year

The rice harvest in Korea, winnowing and threshing, 1904 (colour litho)
473341 The rice harvest in Korea, winnowing and threshing, 1904 (colour litho) by European School; Private Collection; (add.info.: En Coree)

A Man Threshing with a Farm Cart in the Foreground (coloured chalk)
CH36680 A Man Threshing with a Farm Cart in the Foreground (coloured chalk) by Rubens, Peter Paul (1577-1640); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Flemish, out of copyright

Threshing Corn in the Laval Region, c. 1845 (colour litho)
CHT218518 Threshing Corn in the Laval Region, c.1845 (colour litho) by Charpentier, (fl.1845); Private Collection; (add.info)

Ms 1058-1975 f8r Threshing Corn in the Barn, illuminated calendar page for August
FIT133914 Ms 1058-1975 f8r Threshing Corn in the Barn, illuminated calendar page for August, from a Book of Hours, c.1500 (vellum) by Flemish School, (16th century); 19.2x13.3 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum

September, October, November and December, from The Julius Calendar and Hymnal
XJF277621 September, October, November and December, from The Julius Calendar and Hymnal, illustration from History of the English People (engraving) (b/w photo)

Threshing Corn (pencil & w / c on paper)
XYC215027 Threshing Corn (pencil & w/c on paper) by Wint, Peter de (1784-1849); 28.9x44.8 cm; Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection, USA; English, out of copyright

Threshing Wheat in Algeria, 1853 (oil on canvas)
XIR230385 Threshing Wheat in Algeria, 1853 (oil on canvas) by Leleux, Adolphe Pierre (1813-91); 120x196 cm; Musee des Beaux-Arts, Lille, France; (add.info.: Battage des Bles en Algerie; ); French

Threshing Floor, 1916 (oil on canvas)
BAL200972 Threshing Floor, 1916 (oil on canvas) by Vinogradov, Sergei Arsenevich (1869-1938); 60x83 cm; K. Savitsky Art Museum, Penza, Russia; Russian, out of copyright

French Thresher 1859
BATTAGE A LA VAPEUR - A French steam thresher by Renaud & Lotz, Nantes

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Battage is a traditional French term used to describe the process of threshing or beating grain to separate the edible part from the inedible husk. This labor-intensive task was typically done by hand using tools like flails or sticks, and required great physical strength and endurance. The sound could be heard echoing across rural landscapes as farmers worked tirelessly to prepare their harvest for storage or sale. It was a communal activity that brought neighbors together, with everyone pitching in to help each other complete this important step in the agricultural cycle. While modern technology has largely replaced the need for manual battage, it remains an important part of France's cultural heritage. The practice is still celebrated at festivals and events, where visitors can witness demonstrations of traditional techniques and learn about the history behind this age-old tradition. So next time you enjoy a loaf of freshly baked bread or a bowl of hearty grains, take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into preparing those crops through the ancient art of battage.