Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Boy with Cows

John Edward Costigan, 1940

Name Class Date
John Edward Costigan, Boy with Cows (1940). Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
John Edward Costigan topimpressionists.com/en/artists/john-edward-costigan/
Artist’s dates
1880 – 1972
Painted
1940
Original size
25 x 30 cm

Copyright This work is still under copyright. John Edward Costigan died in 1972; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2042. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan

How big is it?

The original measures 25 × 30 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950
  9. 1960
  10. 1970

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 92 at death.

Painted when the artist was 60. The artist lived to 92. 0 of the 6 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of John Edward Costigan (1880–1972) ▲ this work, 1940 every dated painting, decade by decade

Compare with

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/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Quinacridone Magenta #695a4c

    Catalogued palette

    • #695A4C
    • #E4D8C3
    • #231D1B
    • #A89680

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Quinacridone Magenta
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by John Edward Costigan over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 66.7%
    2. 2 Argentina 33.3%

    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.

    The 4 most looked-at works by John Edward Costigan

    1. 1 Picnic along the Brook, 1952 33.3%
    2. 2 Group of Trees, 1940 33.3%
    3. 3 Girl with Jug, 1950 33.3%
    4. — Boy with Cows, 1940 this painting 0.0%

    Together these works take 99.9% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 8 works by this artist, of which 3 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.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    John Edward Costigan

    Born in Providence, United States of America

    John Edward Costigan: A Life Dedicated to Depicting American Rurality

    John Edward Costigan (1888-1972) was an American artist celebrated for his evocative paintings and prints that captured the essence of rural life, the dignity of labor, and a sense of humble contentment. Though not a household name today, Costigan’s work offers a poignant glimpse into early 20th-century America, reflecting both its hardships and its enduring spirit.

    Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

    Born in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1888, Costigan faced early adversity. Orphaned with his four sisters, he was raised by his parents of showman George M. Cohan who recognized and nurtured his artistic talent. Largely self-taught, Costigan developed a strong individual style characterized by bold brushwork and a keen eye for detail.

    Artistic Development and Style

    Costigan’s artistic journey was marked by a commitment to realism. He wasn't interested in grand narratives or idealized portrayals; instead, he focused on the everyday lives of ordinary people. His paintings often depict farmers, laborers, and families engaged in their daily routines, deeply connected to the land they worked.

    Mediums: Costigan primarily worked with oil paints, watercolors, etchings, and lithographs.

    Brushwork: He was known for his strong, expressive brushstrokes that imbued his work with a sense of energy and immediacy.

    Themes: Recurring themes in his art include rural landscapes, agricultural scenes, family life, and the dignity of manual labor.

    Influences and Artistic Context

    While largely self-taught, Costigan was undoubtedly influenced by the prevailing artistic currents of his time. The Ashcan School’s focus on realism and social commentary likely resonated with him, as did the Regionalist movement's celebration of American rural life. However, Costigan developed a unique voice that distinguished him from these movements.

    A Move to the Country and Mature Work

    The economic hardships of the Depression significantly impacted Costigan’s career. The firm he worked for closed, prompting him to purchase a farm in Orangeburg, New York, in the 1920s. This move proved pivotal, providing him with both subject matter and inspiration. His wife, sculptor Ida Blessin, and their five children became frequent subjects of his art.

    Recognition and Achievements

    Costigan’s talent did not go unnoticed. In 1928, he was elected a member of the prestigious National Academy of Design, solidifying his position within the American art establishment. His work was exhibited in various galleries and exhibitions throughout his career.

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Though perhaps not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries, John Edward Costigan’s contribution to American art lies in his authentic portrayal of a vanishing way of life. His paintings offer a valuable historical record of rural America during the early 20th century, capturing the resilience and dignity of those who worked the land. He provides a window into a time when community and connection to nature were central to the American experience.

    Costigan’s work continues to resonate with viewers today, reminding us of the importance of honoring the labor that sustains us and appreciating the beauty found in everyday life.

    Where to read more

    • The artist John Edward Costigan topimpressionists.com/en/artists/john-edward-costigan/
    • Similar works More works to compare topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Boy with Cows

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Costigan, John Edward. Boy with Cows. 1940, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/
    APA
    Costigan, John Edward (1940). Boy with Cows [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/
    Chicago
    John Edward Costigan. Boy with Cows. 1940. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/
    Harvard
    Costigan, John Edward (1940) Boy with Cows. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/john-edward-costigan-boy-with-cows-AQRSCM-en/

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Picnic along the Brook (1952), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. John Edward Costigan was about 60 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: TopImpressionists.com — accessed Sept. 29, 2026

    Boy with Cows — John Edward Costigan Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    How strong are the colors of "Boy with Cows"?

    The colors of "Boy with Cows" by John Edward Costigan show a muted saturation with a monochromatic intensity.

    Toward which tone does "Boy with Cows" lean?

    "Boy with Cows" leans toward an ochre to sepia tone.

    What are the author and date of "Boy with Cows"?

    "Boy with Cows" was created by John Edward Costigan in 1940.