Artwork
Two drawings of a tethered calf
Two drawings of a tethered calf is a drawing by the Romanticist artist George Chinnery. It dates from 6 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This drawing is titled "Two drawings of a tethered calf". It's a work by George Chinnery.
The subject of the drawing is a calf lying on the ground, tethered to a post. This was created on a specific date, 05/07/1831.
The drawing is part of the collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum, associated with the movement: Romanticism. You can learn more about the movement: Romanticism.
Overview
George Chinnery’s drawing, dated 5 July 1831, depicts a calf lying on the ground, restrained by a rope attached to a post. Executed in pen and ink, the work is catalogued in the Victoria and Albert Museum and is associated with the Romantic movement’s interest in pastoral scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a solitary calf, its body relaxed yet confined by a tether. The animal’s stillness against a simple backdrop suggests themes of domestication and the quiet moments of rural life, reflecting Romanticism’s fascination with nature and everyday subjects.
Technique & Style
Rendered in fine line work, Chinnery employs delicate shading to convey the calf’s form and the texture of the surrounding ground. The drawing’s restrained palette and emphasis on atmospheric detail align with Romantic drawing practices that favor observation over idealisation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1831, the piece entered the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection, where it remains part of the institution’s holdings of 19th‑century British drawings. Its acquisition records trace the work’s movement from the artist’s studio to the museum’s archives.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Chinnery (Chinese: 錢納利; 5 January 1774 – 30 May 1852) was an English painter who spent most of his life in Asia, especially India and southern China.
