Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Gunning King died in 1940; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2010.
In context
Two Cows Grazing — Gunning King
The original measures 20 × 29 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 81 at death.
Painted when the artist was 71. The artist lived to 81. 11 of the 45 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Gunning King (1859–1940) ▲ this work, 1930 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/gunning-king-two-cows-grazing-AQUGHZ-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Espresso #3f2c16
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 44.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 131 works by this artist, of which 69 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Two Cows Grazing — Gunning King
The painting Two Cows Grazing by Gunning King is a stunning representation of rural life, showcasing the peaceful nature of the countryside. Created in 1930, this oil painting measures 20 x 29 cm and is a beautiful example of the artist's skill in capturing the serenity of the natural world.
The composition of Two Cows Grazing is simple yet effective. The two cows are positioned in a field, surrounded by grass, with one cow on the left side of the painting and the other on the right. This arrangement creates a sense of balance and harmony, drawing the viewer's eye to the center of the painting. The use of oil as the medium adds depth and richness to the colors, making the scene feel even more realistic.
Other artists have also explored the theme of rural life in their works. For example, Charles Arthur Gervaise's painting Cottages on Cliffs (available on https://AllPaintingsStore.com) depicts a mountainous landscape with a river flowing through it. Similarly, Thomas Hart Benton's Cattle Loading (Regionalism) showcases the artist's ability to capture the essence of rural life.
Rural life is a common theme in art, with many artists exploring its beauty and simplicity.
The use of oil as a medium adds depth and richness to the colors, making the scene feel more realistic.
The Museum of Ryazan Regional Art (Ryazan, Russia) is an example of a museum that showcases artworks reflecting the country's diverse history and traditions.
Handmade oil painting reproductions of Two Cows Grazing are available on https://AllPaintingsStore.com, allowing art lovers to own a piece of this beautiful painting. For more information on Gunning King and his works, visit https://AllPaintingsStore.com.
The serene beauty of rural life is perfectly captured in Two Cows Grazing, making it a must-have for anyone who appreciates the simplicity and elegance of countryside scenes.
Artist and museum
Gunning King (1859–1940) remains a profound voice in the history of British landscape painting, a master who found extraordinary depth within the quietude of the rural English scene. His work does not merely depict land; it breathes with the atmosphere of a bygone era, capturing the subtle, fleeting transitions of light and shadow that define the Dorset and Sussex countryside. Through a palette of muted greens, soft blues, and earthy browns, King invited his viewers into a realm of serene contemplation, where the rustle of leaves and the stillness of a meadow could be felt through the very texture of the oil on canvas.
The artist’s journey was one of beautiful contradiction. Born in the coastal beauty of Kimmeriente Bay, King received his formal training at the prestigious Slade School of Fine Art in London. There, he studied under the watchful eye of Frederic Leighton, a titan of the Pre-Raphaelite tradition known for meticulous detail and idealized forms. While this academic foundation provided him with a rigorous understanding of composition, King’s spirit ultimately drifted toward the burgeoning influence of the Impressionist movement. Rather than pursuing the sharp, photographic precision favored by his mentors, he embraced the revolutionary principles of artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. He sought to capture the ephemeral—the way a sudden sunbeam pierces through a cloud or how mist clings to a distant forest—prioritizing the emotional resonance of light over the rigid boundaries of form.
King’s technical mastery lies in his ability to use loose, rapid brushstrokes to convey movement and vitality. His technique rejected the polished, glass-like surfaces of traditional academic painting in favor of a more tactile, energetic application of paint. This approach allowed him to translate the changing conditions of the English landscape with remarkable sensitivity, making works such as 'Kimmeridge, Dorset' or 'Autumnal Trees and Farm Buildings' feel alive with the pulse of nature. His significance extends beyond mere representation; he was a pioneer who helped bridge the gap between the structured traditions of British art and the atmospheric freedom of Continental Impressionism. Even today, his paintings serve as a poignant reminder of the beauty found in the ordinary, leaving behind a legacy of quiet majesty that continues to enchant the modern eye.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/gunning-king-two-cows-grazing-AQUGHZ-en/
Look closely
Two Cows Grazing — Gunning King
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"Two Cows Grazing" by Gunning King is recorded with a balanced soft saturation and a balanced intensity.
In terms of perceived brightness, "Two Cows Grazing" by Gunning King is bright.
"Two Cows Grazing" by Gunning King is recorded with a balanced soft saturation.