The Straw Yard 1810

James Ward's "The Straw Yard" from 1810, depicts a rural scene with animals gathered in a barnyard. The artist captures the everyday life of livestock, emphasizing their physical presence and natural behavior. The scene is bathed in warm light, creating a sense of tranquility, as the animals seem oblivious to the viewer's presence. Ward's mastery of animal anatomy and naturalistic details are hallmarks of his animal painting style, a genre that rose in popularity during the Romantic era.