Artwork
Watering horses
Watering horses is an oil painting by George Morland. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Overview
Watering horses is an oil painting created by George Morland in 1796, characterized by its serene depiction of rural life, featuring a man, two horses, a dog, and a natural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a tranquil moment of a man in a red coat with his animals by a stream, conveying a sense of peaceful coexistence between humans, animals, and nature, typical of Morland's focus on rustic serenity.
Technique & Style
Executed in a range of earthy tones (greens, browns, tans), the work showcases Morland's mature style, influenced by the Dutch Golden Age, with textured natural elements and a balanced composition.
History & Provenance
Created during a period of Morland's established style post-1790s, though his later career was marked by personal and artistic decline. Like many of his works, it was likely reproduced as prints, benefiting publishers more than the artist.
Context
Reflects Morland's thematic preoccupation with rural landscapes and daily farm life, set against the backdrop of late 18th-century English art's appreciation for pastoral scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
George Morland (26 June 1763 – 29 October 1804) was an English painter. His early work was influenced by Francis Wheatley, but after the 1790s he came into his own style. His best compositions focus on rustic scenes:…
