The Return of the Cattle
The Met
Artist: Hubert Robert(French, Paris 1733–1808 Paris)
Date: ca. 1773–75
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 80 3/4 x 48 in. (205.1 x 121.9 cm)
Credit Line: Bequest of Lucy Work Hewitt, 1934
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
People and animals gather near crumbling stone ruins under a colorful sky, a lantern hanging
Detailed Description
The vertical painting depicts a scene set amidst crumbling stone ruins under a colorful sky. A large, crumbling stone archway dominates the upper left, framing a vast expanse of sky that transitions from a pale yellow at the horizon to a deep orange and reddish-brown at the top. From the center of the arch, a small, dark lantern hangs by a thin rope, suspended against the sky. To the right, a massive, weathered stone structure with columns and carved figures rises, partially obscured by the arch. In the mid-ground, a wooden gate-like structure spans the space between the ruins, with a distant, hazy landscape visible beyond it. The foreground is filled with various figures and animals. On the far left, two figures recline on a large, dark log or fallen column. In the center, a white cow stands prominently, attended by several people. One person carries a basket on their head, another tends to the cow, and a third sits nearby. To the right of the cow, water flows from a spigot into a stone basin, where more figures are gathered, including a person in a dark cloak and a small child. Scattered around are other animals, including a dog. The ground is a mix of dark earth and patches of green foliage. The overall palette is rich with warm earth tones, deep oranges, and muted greens.
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