Artwork
Pigs in a barnyard
Pigs in a barnyard is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen’s oil painting *Pigs in a Barnyard* was completed in 1875 and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection.
Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen’s oil painting *Pigs in a Barnyard* was completed in 1875 and is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection. The work depicts a modest rural setting, focusing on a woman in a dark dress and apron who leans against a wooden fence while observing two pigs engaged in typical farm activity. The composition captures a quiet moment in a farmyard surrounded by stone walls, a tree trunk and a small grassy patch.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a woman in plain attire, serves as a calm observer of the animals, suggesting a relationship between human labor and livestock. One pig is shown rooting near a wooden trough, while the other rests on the ground, emphasizing the everyday rhythms of agricultural life. The painting conveys a sense of stillness and the simple, unembellished reality of 19th‑century farm work.
Technique & Style
Van der Brugghen employs a pronounced impasto technique, applying thick layers of oil that remain visible on the canvas. The bold brushstrokes give the surface a textured, almost sketch‑like quality, lending immediacy to the scene while retaining a degree of unfinished appearance. This tactile approach heightens the visual impact of the animals’ fur and the roughness of the surrounding architecture.
History & Provenance
Created in 1875, *Pigs in a Barnyard* entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s Dutch 19th‑century collection. The painting’s acquisition history reflects the institution’s interest in documenting rural genre scenes that illustrate everyday life in the Netherlands during the period.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen
Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen (1811–1891) was an artist, born in Nijmegen.
