catalog text
18TH CENTURY PAINTING OF "BOY AND THE PIGS STY" IN OIL ON CANVAS
Unsigned, in the circle of George Morland (London, 1763-1804)
Item # 911KUG16O
A cheerful scene that captures a young boy breaking from his farm chores to check on the pigs, there is a naiveté and innocence to the composition and portrayal that is rather magnetic. The animals are rendered with an anthropomorphic stylizing, a few pigs smiling with contentment as they sleep in the hay and one gleefully attacking the trough. The work is unsigned, though close to the period of George Morland and certainly very heavily influenced by his work - note the position of the boy, which is identical to that of George Morland's sketch "Boy and Pigs" (1792), held in the collection of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco (acc. no. 1963.30.13416).
Labels & Markings:
- Three dealer labels from prior acquisition from Sumpter Priddy III in Alexandria, VA
- 19th century label from H.S. Bunnett & Co of London
Measurements: 14" H x 17 1/2" W [canvas]; 18 1/4" H x 21 7/8" W x 1 7/8" D [frame]
Condition Report:
Early and possibly original frame with wear/loss and inpainting. Scattered inpainting throughout somewhat obscured by fresh varnish. Light surface craquelure. Relined.