Artwork
Animals in a Stable
Animals in a Stable is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by later hand, lower right in graphite: 34 47fle (?); by later hand, center verso in graphite: Loutherbourg
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes the harmony of the stable environment, where each creature occupies a distinct space, suggesting a balanced coexistence.
The drawing titled Animals in a Stable shows a man accompanied by a cat, cattle, a donkey and a goat within a barn setting.
This ensemble of domesticated animals and a human figure creates a rustic tableau that reflects everyday rural activity and the close relationship between people and their livestock.
The composition emphasizes the harmony of the stable environment, where each creature occupies a distinct space, suggesting a balanced coexistence.
Such a scene was often associated with themes of prosperity and the sustenance derived from animal husbandry.
Technique & Style
The drawing, rendered in red chalk on laid paper, measures about 29.3 cm by 42.3 cm. It belongs to the genre‑scene category and depicts a cat, cattle, a donkey, a goat and a man inside a stable. The artist uses fine hatching and soft tonal shifts to model each animal, achieving a harmonious balance among the figures. The composition emphasizes the interaction between the livestock and the human presence, while the limited palette of red chalk creates a cohesive tonal unity.
The work is catalogued as a drawing in the National Gallery of Art’s collection, reflecting its status as a paper‑based artwork.
History & Provenance
The drawing Animals in a Stable by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II entered the National Gallery of Art (NGA) in 1996 as a gift from the Christian Humann Foundation. Its provenance traces to Louis Giraud, then to Cafmeyer, before passing through Galerie Cailleux in Paris, where it was acquired by collector Christian Humann in 1981. The work was offered at Sotheby’s New York on 30 April 1982 (lot 64) but remained unsold, later entering the foundation’s holdings.
The drawing’s medium, red chalk on laid paper, aligns with Loutherbourg’s draftsmanship, and its dimensions (29.3 × 42.3 cm) correspond to the work’s known physical characteristics.
The drawing is held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., where it is recorded as accession number NGA 91241.
Its ownership history traces from Louis Giraud to the firm of Cafmeyer and then through Galerie Cailleux, Paris, before entering the collection of Christian Humann. It was purchased at the Humann estate sale by the National Gallery of Art in 1996 as a gift.
Overview
"Animals in a Stable" is a drawing by Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II, created around the year 2000. Executed in red chalk on laid paper, this work presents a genre scene. It captures a moment within a stable environment, focusing on the interactions and presence of various animals and a human figure.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II
Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg II (1740–1812) was an artist.
