Artwork
A figure leading a cow and calf, and a kneeling goat
A figure leading a cow and calf, and a kneeling goat is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 6 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Two studies appear on one sheet: one scene with the animals and another with the kneeling goat.
This drawing shows a man leading a cow and calf while a goat kneels nearby. George Chinnery made it in 1838 using simple pencil strokes. It belongs to the Romanticism movement, which often focused on everyday life and nature.
The sketch captures a quiet farm moment with just a few confident lines. Two studies appear on one sheet: one scene with the animals and another with the kneeling goat.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more sketches by George Chinnery.
Overview
This 1838 pencil drawing by George Chinnery presents two separate studies on a single sheet. One depicts a man in a broad-brimmed hat guiding a cow and its calf, while the other shows a goat in a kneeling posture. The composition isolates a brief, tranquil moment of rural activity.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a simple farm scene, emphasizing the relationship between human caretaker and livestock. The juxtaposition of the walking herd and the stationary goat suggests a balance between movement and stillness, reflecting everyday rural life without overt narrative.
Technique & Style
Executed with confident pencil strokes, the drawing relies on minimal line to convey form and gesture. Chinnery’s handling aligns with Romantic-era interests in nature and the ordinary, using a direct, unembellished approach that foregrounds observation over decorative detail.
History & Provenance
Created in 1838, the piece is part of Chinnery’s broader output of sketches made during his time in Asia. It is now held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, where it is catalogued among other studies that illustrate his interest in rural subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.
