Cattle 

This painting, Cattle, by James Ward presents a pastoral scene dominated by the interplay of animal forms against a backdrop of land and sky. Ward uses a rich, earthy palette, punctuated by the stark white of one cow, to create a sense of depth and movement across the canvas. The arrangement of cattle around a gnarled tree introduces a structural element that anchors the composition. The brushwork, particularly in the depiction of the animals, is loose yet precise, capturing the textures and volumes of their bodies. This formal approach invites us to consider the painting not merely as a representation of rural life, but as a carefully constructed visual space. Ward seems interested in the semiotics of rural life, using familiar forms to explore broader themes of nature, labor, and the picturesque. The somewhat Romantic scene is not simply a benign landscape, but a structured environment through which we can examine the cultural values of the time.