Wooded Landscape with Cows at a Watering Place c. 1785

Thomas Gainsborough's "Wooded Landscape with Cows at a Watering Place," created around 1785, showcases the artist's masterful handling of landscape and figure. Executed in a delicate brown wash, the drawing depicts a serene pastoral scene, with cows quenching their thirst at a stream while figures observe from a hillside. Gainsborough's loose brushstrokes capture the movement of the animals and the gentle sway of the trees, creating a sense of tranquility. This charming drawing exemplifies the artistic brilliance of the English landscape master, and is a fine example of his early work.