Attributed to
Hunter, Clementine, American, ca. 1886 - 1988
Subject of
Melrose Plantation, American, founded 1832
Date
early to mid-1940s
Medium
oil paint on canvas board
Dimensions
H x W x D (painting): 11 1/8 × 16 1/8 × 1/4 in. (28.3 × 41 × 0.6 cm)
H x W (framed): 17 1/8 × 23 5/8 in. (43.5 × 60 cm)
Description
An oil painting depicting two people milking a cow. The cow is grey and is depicted in profile, but has turned her head to face the viewer. A younger man wearing a black cap, blue shirt and black trousers is sitting on a stool in front of the cow, facing to the left, milking the cow into a brown bucket. At his left, on the other side of the cow's udder, an older man stands facing to the right. He has a black hat, white beard, blue shirt and black trousers, and his arms are raised. A low, gated fence surrounds the men and the cow, and there are four trees outside the fenced area. A brown dog stands on the other side of the fence, on the left side of the canvas, its head lifted to observe the milking and its tail perked. In the foreground are expanses of dirt and grass, depicted through bands of brown and green paint in broad, predominantly horizontal brushstrokes. The painting is signed "CH" in ink at lower center. There are traces of ink below the paint in the areas of the fence and gate.
Place depicted
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Type
oil paintings
Topic
Agriculture
American South
Art
Foodways
Rural life
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Rand and Dana Jack family, in honor of Rand's grandmother, Blythe Rand, who early recognized and supported the special talents of Clementine Hunter
Object number
2014.176.6
Restrictions & Rights
© Cane River Art Corporation
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5adf86a72-5110-4f6f-b14d-b008b2b5adad

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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