Pasture at Evening 1913 - 1931

Albert Pinkham Ryder painted *Pasture at Evening* using oil on canvas, though the exact date of its making remains unknown. Ryder was working in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when American art was grappling with its identity in relation to European traditions. Ryder often depicted landscapes and seascapes infused with a mystical quality. His paintings are characterized by simplified forms and a muted palette, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. The solitary cow in *Pasture at Evening* evokes the pastoral imagery of the period. To better understand Ryder's work, one might explore the literature and philosophy of the period, such as the transcendentalism of Emerson and Thoreau, to better understand the role of American landscape painting and its cultural meaning. Ultimately, understanding the institutional and intellectual context is essential to understanding the meaning of this art.