“Evening at the Cottage” Large Oil on Canvas by Joseph Barker
“Evening at the Cottage” Large Oil on Canvas by Joseph Barker
A very large English landscape oil painting in an exceptional carved and gilt wood frame, depicting a family gathered outside their thatched roof cottage. The daylight is dwindling- darkening in the shadows and through the trees but bright enough to spotlight the figures in front and notably charming details of the dogs and sheep. The donkeys by a stream at the lower left are almost swallowed by the dusk, but their appealing faces stand out from the darkening shadows. Bright faces of people, dogs and sheep all receive similar care and character, enlivening this delightful painting. The artist,, Joseph Barker (1782–1809), who sadly died at the age of only 27, was part of a family of distinguished painters in the fashionable town of Bath. Stylistically, the work aligns with the work of George Morland whose compositional style embraced the ordinary lives of people in their natural settings, focusing as much on the animals and their individuality as on the human element. The style overall shows quick brushwork with pigments lightly applied, then built up in places for emphasis and to build up depth, especially with highlights against darker pigments. This painting, signed, in the lower left shadows, is remarkable for its exceptionally large size which suggests it being a commission, ca. early 19th century. Good antique condition, the thinness of some of the pigments and the craquelure from rapid execution. Framing is later, very good condition, very light wear.
H: 47 ½ W: 57 ¾ D: 3 ½