“On the shelf” is an online exhibition of paintings that are on the premises of Bert Gallery but not hanging in the current exhibition. Simply visit the gallery and request to see the works, or give us a call at (401) 751-2628 for more details. Most of these paintings are from a private estate and are in need of “cleaning” and “framing” thus they are priced with this consideration. Feel free to inquire about details. Also read the condition remarks under each painting. The majority of these paintings was collected many years ago and has remained stored for the past twenty years.
Barnyard Animals
Cows, sheep and chickens were popular to paint among local Rhode Island and area artists at the turn of the century. American artists were impressed with the great French animal painters like Troyon (1810 - 1865) who loved to paint cows in the pastures and Shepard’s tending their flock. Rosa Bonheur (1822 – 1899) took the subject of animal painting to a new level when her work the “Horse Fair” that went onto receive critical praise at the Paris Salon and was later purchased by Cornelius Vanderbilt and gifted to the Metropolitan Museum.
The farm population in America was roughly 49% of the labor force by the late 1800’s and so the rural landscape with its farms and animals became ingrained in our local identity and imagination. With the opening of Vose Gallery in Providence in 1842, showcasing their inventory of French Barbizon painters like Troyon and Bonheur, local artists likewise began a tradition of painting livestock and animals from neighboring farms. This tradition has continued down to present day and has become a nostalgic collecting area in Rhode Island, a state that became a major urban and industrial powerhouse by the early 1900’s. This web site gallery exhibit shows a variety of painting dating back to the 19th century.
Catherine Little Bert