Artwork
Painting
Painting is a paint painting by the British Romanticist artist Unknown. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading.
About this work
Overview
A painting of a sheep created in 1831 by Thomas Weaver, an artist from Shrewsbury.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a single sheep with a curly coat and an ear tag, identified by the artist as a four-shear sheep and the grandson of 'Old Black Knee'. The image served not only as a portrait but also as a record of the sheep's lineage and characteristics.
Technique & Style
The work is a formal animal portrait, a style popular during the early 19th century, characterized by a detailed and realistic representation of the subject.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of a collection of animal images by Thomas Weaver, dating from the late 18th to the mid-19th century.
Context
Such portraits were used by farmers to document and verify the pedigree and desirable traits of their livestock.
Artist & collection
Museum
Museum of English Rural Life, University of Reading
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