Artwork
Cows in a Field
Cows in a Field is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist George Inness. It is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting Cows in a Field, executed by George Inness in 1928, presents a quiet pastoral scene in which a small herd of cattle grazes amid rolling terrain.
The painting Cows in a Field, executed by George Inness in 1928, presents a quiet pastoral scene in which a small herd of cattle grazes amid rolling terrain. Rendered in oil on canvas, the work belongs to Inness’s later landscape series and was acquired by the Cleveland Museum of Art. The depiction of cattle functions as the central motif of the composition, situating the figures within a broader naturalistic environment that emphasizes agrarian calm.
As a 1928 American landscape, the piece reflects contemporary interest in rural subjects and the aesthetic valorization of the countryside.
Technique & Style
Cows in a Field is an oil painting on canvas created in 1928 in the United States. The work measures approximately 45.3 cm in height by 66 cm in width and belongs to the landscape genre, depicting a pastoral scene of cattle within a field. Executed in oil paint, the piece exemplifies the medium and support typical of George Inness’s mature practice, with the canvas support providing a smooth surface for layered tonal effects.
The painting is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, reflecting its provenance and institutional classification as a landscape work.
History & Provenance
Cows in a Field was painted in 1928 by the American artist George Inness, using oil on canvas. The work entered the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is recorded under accession number 1955.544. The sources do not mention any earlier owners, commissions, or exhibition history prior to its acquisition by the museum, so the provenance beyond its current location is not documented in the available records.
Overview
George Inness's oil painting, "Cows in a Field," presents a pastoral scene of cattle within a tranquil landscape. The composition centers on a large tree, beneath which a few cows graze in a quiet field. Rendered with warm, earthy tones and soft, orange skies, the work evokes a sense of calm. This piece, characteristic of American Impressionism, is part of the collection at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
George Inness, a prominent American landscape painter of the nineteenth century, developed a varied artistic practice. His early work showed the influence of the Hudson River School, but he later broadened his approach through studies of European Old Masters and Barbizon artists. Inness's career was marked by several stylistic shifts, with spiritual undertones becoming increasingly significant in his later output, reflecting a profound engagement with nature.
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Artist & collection
Artist
George Inness (May 1, 1825 – August 3, 1894) was an American landscape painter. Now recognized as one of the most influential American artists of the nineteenth century, Inness was influenced by the Hudson River School…
