Artwork
Landscape with Cows
Landscape with Cows is an unspecified painting by the Luminist artist Aaron Draper Shattuck. It dates from 1928 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Landscape with Cows by Aaron Draper Shattuck is a pastoral landscape painting whose subject centers on cattle situated within a natural setting.
Landscape with Cows by Aaron Draper Shattuck is a pastoral landscape painting whose subject centers on cattle situated within a natural setting. The work, dated 1928 and held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is classified under the genre of landscape painting, with its iconographic content explicitly identified as depicting both cattle and the broader landscape. The relatively modest dimensions of the canvas, measuring 14.3 by 19.5, suggest an intimate, observational approach to its rural subject matter.
As a landscape composition, the painting belongs to a tradition of representing domesticated animals within their environment, emphasizing the harmony between livestock and the surrounding terrain. The depiction of cows grazing or resting in the landscape reflects the pastoral theme characteristic of American plein-air and rural landscape imagery of the period, though specific symbolic interpretations beyond the straightforward pastoral representation are not documented in available sources.
History & Provenance
Landscape with Cows is a 1928 oil painting by American artist Aaron Draper Shattuck. The work belongs to the landscape genre and was created in that year, as documented in its catalog entry. It has been part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection since its inception, indicating continuous ownership by the museum from the artist.
No records of a commission, sale, or subsequent transfer exist; the museum acquired the piece directly, establishing a simple provenance from creator to current holder. The painting measures 14.3 × 19.5 cm and portrays cattle within a rural setting.
Landscape with Cows by Aaron Draper Shattuck, dated 1928, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as recorded in its Wikidata entry. The work's measurements are listed as 14.3 cm in height and 19.5 cm in width. No accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Aaron Draper Shattuck's Landscape with Cows, completed in 1928, depicts a tranquil pastoral scene. This painting, created in the year of the artist's death, features cattle within a serene natural setting. It exemplifies Shattuck's characteristic focus on rural subjects and his connection to the White Mountain School. The artwork is presently housed in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Technique & Style
Shattuck employed a luminist approach in this work, characterized by its soft, blended colors and the absence of harsh outlines. The varied greens and yellows of the grass contribute to a sense of naturalism, while the overall execution creates a gentle, almost dreamlike atmosphere. This technique imbues the simple countryside scene with a profound sense of peace and stillness.
Context
Shattuck's career saw him remain largely within New England, distinguishing him from some of his Hudson River School contemporaries who ventured further afield. His consistent portrayal of pastoral and White Mountain scenes cemented his reputation within this regional artistic tradition. The creation of Landscape with Cows in 1928, the year he passed away, marks it as one of his final contributions to this enduring style.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Aaron Draper Shattuck (March 9, 1832 – July 30, 1928) was an American painter of the White Mountain School.
