Edgar Hunt Oil Painting – Two Donkeys and Pigeons in Farmyard, 1929, Framed

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This charming oil on canvas painting, titled Two Donkeys and Pigeons in Farmyard, captures a serene moment of rural life … Read more This charming oil on canvas painting, titled Two Donkeys and Pigeons in Farmyard, captures a serene moment of rural life with remarkable detail and warmth. Attributed to renowned British animal painter Edgar Hunt (1876–1955), the work reflects the legacy of a family deeply rooted in the Victorian tradition of sentimental and meticulously rendered animal portraiture.

The scene centers on two donkeys—one light gray, the other soft brown—grazing peacefully near a patch of straw. Three pigeons complement the composition: one perched atop a barrel and two more on the ground, enhancing the sense of harmony among the animals. In the background, a rustic barn or shed shelters various tools and a wooden barrel, all set beneath a soft, overcast sky that adds to the tranquil atmosphere.

Executed in Hunt’s signature naturalistic style, the painting displays a keen sensitivity to texture and anatomy. The rendering of fur, feathers, straw, and aged wood is precise yet tender, evoking not only the animals’ personalities but also the quiet dignity of the pastoral setting.

The painting is housed in an ornate carved wood frame with a distressed off-white and gilded finish, separated from the canvas by a linen mat, enhancing the antique elegance of the piece.

A member of a celebrated lineage of animal painters—including his father, Walter Hunt, and grandfather Walter Hunt Sr.—Edgar Hunt carved out his own reputation for portraying barnyard animals and domestic fowl with exceptional realism and sentiment. This painting is a quintessential example of his work, combining technical mastery with a gentle, romanticized vision of country life.

Together, the subject, style, and presentation make this a collector-worthy piece of Victorian animal art—intimate, nostalgic, and expertly crafted. See less