Artwork
Cowboys
Cowboys is an oil painting by Ángel della Valle. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1850, *Cowboys* is an oil painting by Argentine artist Ángel della Valle. The work belongs to the National Museum of Fine Arts in Buenos Aires. It presents a tranquil rural scene populated by mounted gauchos, their varied attire and horses rendered with a calm, sun‑lit atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a group of gauchos on horseback in an open field, accompanied by two resting dogs. Each rider looks in a different direction, one shielding his eyes from bright light, suggesting a moment of pause within daily labor. The painting emphasizes the everyday reality of Argentine countryside life.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic manner, della Valle employs a muted, yellowish background to convey sunlight and depth. The horses display a range of natural colors, while the figures’ clothing is detailed with individual variations, reflecting the artist’s commitment to accurate, observational representation.
History & Provenance
Ángel della Valle, linked to the Realist movement and the Argentine “Generation of ’80,” produced the work during the mid‑19th century. It entered the collection of Buenos Aires’ National Museum of Fine Arts, where it remains on public display.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Ángel Della Valle (10 October 1852, Buenos Aires – 16 July 1903, Buenos Aires) was an Argentine painter in the Realistic style who belonged to the "Generation of '80".
Museum
National Museum of Fine Arts, Argentina
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