Artwork

Boy in a cornfield

Boy in a cornfield, by Walter Field, watercolor, 1866
Boy in a cornfield, by Walter Field, watercolor, 1866

Boy in a cornfield is a watercolor work on paper by the Hudson River School artist Walter Field. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Boy in a cornfield is a watercolour painting created by Walter Field in 1866. The work is executed in a realistic style, capturing a serene scene.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a boy standing amidst tall corn stalks, lost in thought as he gazes downward. His face is shaded by a hat, and he holds a stick, surrounded by the natural landscape.

Technique & Style

The watercolour showcases Field's attention to detail and texture, rendering the cornfield and the boy with precision. The style is characteristic of a realistic approach, differing from the looser brushwork of Impressionist artists like Claude Monet.

History & Provenance

The painting is signed and dated by the artist, providing a clear provenance. Created in 1866, it represents a moment in the artist's oeuvre during the mid-19th century.

Artist & collection

Artist

Walter Field

English watercolor artist Walter Field painted quiet, detailed scenes of everyday life in the mid-1800s.