Artwork
Landscape with cattle

Landscape with cattle is a watercolor work on paper by the British Romanticist artist George the younger Barret. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Landscape with cattle is a watercolour painting created by George Barret the Younger in 1790, depicting a serene rural scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a tranquil countryside moment: a figure leads three cows down a rocky slope, accompanied by a dog, set against a backdrop of a winding river, cliffs, a lone ruin, and a prominent tree. The composition conveys a sense of peacefulness.
Technique & Style
Barret employed soft, light colors and gentle, smooth brushstrokes to achieve a dreamy, misty effect, blending the landscape elements harmoniously.
History & Provenance
The work is signed by the artist and dated to 1790; specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
This watercolour reflects the late 18th-century appreciation for idyllic, natural landscapes, a common theme in British art of the period.
Legacy
While direct influences or notable exhibitions are not specified, the piece exemplifies the enduring appeal of serene, rural watercolours from the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
This English painter built quiet drama into gentle views. His watercolours show cattle grazing near Richmond, evening rivers winding through hills, and Windsor Castle glimpsed across a Surrey park. Barret worked in the…

















