Description
Signed and dated 1920, oil on canvas
Dimensions
56cm x 76cm (22in x 30in)
Footnote
Provenance:Purchased Fine Art of Oakham, Ltd., 1996
Note: Edgar Hunt was born in Birmingham in 1876 into a family with a painting tradition; his uncle was the successful animal painter Walter Hunt (1861-1941). Edgar choose to focus his artistic attentions solely on the animals of the farmyard, depicting poultry, cattle, horses, donkeys and doves, in romanticised scenes. His highly detailed technique meant he became the foremost painter of his generation in this particular, popular genre.
Artworks like 'Farmyard Friends' held a great appeal for those living in the city, who maintained a particular fondness for the countryside, and wished to decorate their urban homes with its scenes. It is little surprise that Hunt found such success, and a group of wealthy collectors, in his hometown of Birmingham, the leading manufacturing city of the time.