A Cow and Two Sheep 1860

Editor: This is Thomas Sidney Cooper’s "A Cow and Two Sheep," painted in watercolor. I find the scene quite idyllic, with the animals resting peacefully. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Consider the materials: paper and watercolor. This suggests a work intended for domestic display, available to a burgeoning middle class. What does the subject matter, livestock, imply about the artist's intended audience and the means of agricultural production at the time? Editor: That’s interesting. It highlights how art reflects the economic landscape. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Exactly! Analyzing art through a material lens can reveal a lot.