Artwork
Early Morning: Cows in a Field
Early Morning: Cows in a Field is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition balances broad atmospheric recession with precise description of textures, from the animals’ coats to the varied greens of the field.
Early Morning: Cows in a Field is executed in oil paint on a panel support. The handling emphasizes naturalistic detail, with carefully observed cows, foliage, and light effects rendered through blended, luminous brushwork. The composition balances broad atmospheric recession with precise description of textures, from the animals’ coats to the varied greens of the field.
The work’s stylistic qualities align with the Dutch realist tradition of the late nineteenth century, favoring accurate depiction over idealization. Subtle tonal modulation conveys the moist morning air, while the horizon is lowered to emphasize the expansive sky and grazing cattle.
History & Provenance
Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas created the oil painting Early Morning: Cows in a Field in 1877. Executed on a panel measuring 90 by 127 cm, the work depicts a landscape scene. The painting is currently held within the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Its custody history includes association with the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection and the Instituut Collectie Nederland. No specific details regarding the original commission or intermediate private ownership transfers are provided in the available records.
The painting Early Morning: Cows in a Field is held by the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, which manages the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Art Collection (Instituut Collectie Nederland). Created in 1877, the work is part of this national collection and remains on display or in storage at the Rijksmuseum location. The provided sources do not document a specific inventory or accession number for the piece, nor do they list any exhibition history or past showings.
Consequently, while the institutional holding is confirmed, the detailed accession data and public exhibition record are not available in the referenced material.
Overview
Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas painted Early Morning: Cows in a Field in 1889. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts a tranquil pastoral scene in which several cows occupy a grassy meadow beneath a muted sky. The composition is held by the Rijksmuseum, representing a typical example of the artist’s focus on rural life.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas presents a group of brown‑and‑white cattle, some lying down, others standing, set against a low‑lying field dotted with sparse vegetation and distant trees. The subdued lighting and quiet atmosphere suggest an early‑morning moment, emphasizing the ordinary rhythms of farm work rather than dramatic narrative.
Context
The work reflects the broader 19th‑century Dutch interest in agrarian subjects, aligning with the Hague School’s emphasis on everyday life and atmospheric effects. De Haas’s focus on cattle parallels the genre traditions of earlier Dutch masters, while his muted tonalities echo contemporary French realist influences.
Artist & collection
Artist
Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas
Johannes Hubertus Leonardus de Haas (25 March 1832 – 4 August 1908) was a Dutch animal and landscape painter, and a peripheral figure of the Hague School.
