Artwork
Cow
Cow is an unspecified painting by the Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cow is a painting by Edgar Degas, created in 1888. It is a representation of a cow, executed in a sketchy style.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a brown cow viewed from behind, with its head turned to the left. The simplicity of the composition and the unfinished style of the cow's body suggest a focus on capturing a moment or studying the animal's form.
Technique & Style
The cow's body is rendered in loose, sketchy brushstrokes, while the background is a plain, light color. The artist's signature is not formally executed, but rather appears as a simple inscription in the bottom-left corner, reinforcing the impression of a study or sketch.
History & Provenance
The painting is currently held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas on 19 July 1834 in Paris, Edgar Degas came from an affluent banking family with aristocratic roots and spent his childhood among the cultivated circles of the French capital.
