James Orrock

I found this detailed study of a ‘Cow at Rest’ by James Orrock mesmerising.

It is only small, and I’ve only had one (messy) experience with a cow, but perhaps because I was living in Devon at the time I bought it, I thought it was an interesting pencil and watercolour of a common-place subject.  We quickly glance at cows in fields as we pass by in a hurry, but here I can take my time to study it.

James Orrock lead an interesting life, including being a dentist, and was hugely influenced by Turner’s style – he even wrote a biography about him.

This piece of art was bought by an Italian elderly gentleman to give to a close Italian relative he stayed with in Italy to celebrate his 80th birthday.  The relative given the art was also a farmer, so very relevant.