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Lot Essay
F.G. Stephens described this picture in his chronicle of Hook's exhibits: '1874 brought... "Cow-Tending", Mr D. Price's picture of a boy who has waded into a river (it is near Silverbeck) to gather moor-hens' eggs from a rushy islet, while his cows attack the cabbages of a farmhouse' (F.G. Stephens, 'J.C.Hook, Royal Academician: His Life and Work', Art Annual, 1888, p. 30). An understandably irate housewife can be seen attempting to dissuade the cows from their destructive meanderings.
Silverbeck was the house that Hook had built for himself near Churt in Surrey. It had a large studio, and Hook lived and worked there from about 1865 until his death in 1907. Silverbeck still stands, though it was partially rebuilt following a fire. Hook's custom was to paint three marine subjects on site during his summer coastal excursions; and one inland view during autumn or spring. Cow Tending numbered one of these. The pictures would then be completed in time for submission to the Royal Academy in April.
We are grateful to Juliet McMaster for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.
Silverbeck was the house that Hook had built for himself near Churt in Surrey. It had a large studio, and Hook lived and worked there from about 1865 until his death in 1907. Silverbeck still stands, though it was partially rebuilt following a fire. Hook's custom was to paint three marine subjects on site during his summer coastal excursions; and one inland view during autumn or spring. Cow Tending numbered one of these. The pictures would then be completed in time for submission to the Royal Academy in April.
We are grateful to Juliet McMaster for her help in preparing this catalogue entry.