Cows Watering at a Stream
Painting on canvas • E. Ferguson (signature visible in lower right corner)
Style & Movement
American Tonalism / Barbizon School influence
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, utilizing impasto for foliage highlights and glazing techniques for water reflections
Creation Period
Late 19th to early 20th Century (circa 1890-1920)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A pastoral landscape featuring several cows grazing and watering at the edge of a slow-moving stream. The composition is framed by mature deciduous trees on the right with a soft, atmospheric light suggesting early morning or late afternoon. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and rural serenity, typical of American landscape traditions of the period.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing age-appropriate characteristics with minor surface grime
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,200
Auction Estimate
$500 - $800
Provenance History
Acquired from a frame shop in Rhode Island; likely part of a private New England collection given the regional popularity of the style
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the late 19th-century American shift toward intimate, moody landscapes influenced by the French Barbizon school. It reflects the era's nostalgia for agrarian life during the rise of industrialization.
Notable Features
Distinctive E. Ferguson signature in the lower right; housed in a high-quality period-style gilded composition frame with ornate scrolling patterns
Condition Issues
Visible surface craquelure consistent with age, slight yellowing of the varnish layer, and minor dust accumulation
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and varnish refreshment; maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight
Collector Notes
It came from a frame shop in RI