Artwork
Untitled (Cows And Calves By A Stream)
Untitled (Cows And Calves By A Stream) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Robert A. Eichelberger. It dates from 1889 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Robert A.
About this work
Overview
Robert A. Eichelberger’s 1889 print, untitled but commonly referred to as “Cows and Calves by a Stream,” is an etching combined with drypoint. The work presents a tranquil rural scene rendered in black-and-white, measuring the typical size of a late‑19th‑century print.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a small herd of cows and their calves gathered beside a gently flowing stream, shaded by a solitary, leaning tree. The arrangement of animals and foliage conveys a sense of pastoral peace, suggesting the quiet rhythms of farm life in a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Eichelberger employed a layered approach, first incising the image with traditional etching lines and then adding drypoint scratches to deepen shadows and enrich texture. The resulting marks are intentionally rough, giving the surface a tactile quality that contrasts with the soft, diffused lighting suggested by the cloudy atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Created in 1889, the print reflects the artist’s interest in rural American subjects during the post‑Civil War period. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has appeared in several collections of 19th‑century American prints, illustrating the era’s fascination with agrarian themes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Robert A. Eichelberger (1861–1890) was an American artist, born in Ohio.
