Artwork
New River at Islington with a Family Going Awalking, a Cow Milking, and the Horns Archly Fixed over the Husband's Head (decorative painting for a supper-box at Vauxhall Gardens, London)

New River at Islington with a Family Going Awalking, a Cow Milking, and the Horns Archly Fixed over the Husband's Head (decorative painting for a supper-box at Vauxhall Gardens, London) is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Francis Hayman. It dates from 1741 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting by Francis Hayman, dated 1741, depicts a serene and lively scene along the New River at Islington, capturing everyday life in a natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a family on a walk, with the father holding a baby, and a woman milking a cow in the background. A decorative arch with horns, symbolically placed over the husband's head, adds a layer of narrative depth, potentially alluding to themes of marital humor or satire.
Technique & Style
Hayman employed muted colors, predominantly browns and greens, to create a sense of calm. The composition balances activity and serenity, showcasing the artist's ability to convey movement and tranquility simultaneously.
History & Provenance
Originally created as a decorative piece for a supper-box at Vauxhall Gardens in London, the painting is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection.
Context
Commissioned for Vauxhall Gardens, a popular 18th-century leisure destination, the work reflects the era's appreciation for pastoral scenes and subtle social commentary in public entertainment venues.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Hayman (1708 – 2 February 1776) was an English painter and illustrator who became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy in 1768, and later its first librarian.



















