Artwork
Cattle at Rest on a Hillside in the Alps
Cattle at Rest on a Hillside in the Alps is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Rosa Bonheur. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Accession no.
- 39542
- Credit line
- A. A. Munger Collection
About this work
Overview
Cattle at Rest on a Hillside in the Alps is an oil on canvas painting depicting a serene scene of black and tan cattle resting on a hillside amidst a mountainous backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the tranquil repose of cattle on short, green grass, set against a cloudy mountain vista, conveying a sense of peacefulness and natural harmony.
Technique & Style
The artist employed simple, natural color palette and meticulous attention to detail, evident in the rendering of the cattle's coats and grass texture, reflecting a style akin to Rosa Bonheur's naturalistic approach.
Context
The work aligns with 19th-century naturalist painting traditions, emphasizing accurate depiction of animals and landscapes, characteristic of the era's artistic preoccupations.
Legacy
While not widely recognized as a landmark piece, it contributes to the broader corpus of Alpine landscape and animal paintings of its time, offering a glimpse into the period's artistic values.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Rosa Bonheur was a French artist known best as a painter of animals (animalière).
