Impressive Impressionist painting of cows grazing in a field with a train in the distance with smoke coming out of the front of the train,by French artist Leon Barillot.The lifelike capturing of the cows grazing is a hallmark of this artist whose ability to show animals in their natural environment was a hallmark of his genius.The passing train in the near distance is a nice reference to the Impressionist movement just gaining steam at the time in Paris, growing out of the Barbizon school of painters who often depicted farm life. This work is behind glass on the front and behind glass on the back.Circa 1885.//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////(From Benezit):(Leon Barillot)"His father was a wallpaper maker. As Leon showed great disposition for drawing, his father sent him to Paris to do his artistic education and back in Metz, he indulged in industrial design, but he had no taste for this work. In 1871, in spite of the opposition of his father, he returned to Paris, worked first in the Swiss workshop, then, in 1872, at Bonnat's studio.By 1870, he had exhibited at the Palais de l'Industrie A corner of the forest of Saint-Odile ; in 1871, The fairy pond (forest of Fontainebleau). It was from 1873 that he turned out to be an animal painter. He obtained a medal of 3rd class in the salon of 1880, a second medal in 1884 for the barrier , which put it out of competition. The same year, he won a gold medal awarded to French painting at the London Crystal Palace exhibition, another at the Melbourne exhibition in 1888, for The Ford of Las Landres (Auvergne) and a medal of gold at the Lyon exhibition in 1894. Member of the painting jury at the Salon des Champs-Elysees, member of the Association of painters (Taylor Society), knight of the Legion of Honor in 1895, he could not obtain the medal of honor, because it did not give itself to landscape painters. He was a member of the jury of the "L'Épatant" circle, member of the jury of the committee and secretary of the Association Des Artistes Français, vice-president of the Salon. In 1918, the artists of Montigny-les Metz offered him the honorary presidency of their company which took the name of Groupe Barillot. They even wanted to raise a statue of him during his lifetime, but he refused.Barillot is remarkable as an animal painter, as much for the personality of his style as for his technique and his knowledge of animals. He was also an excellent landscape painter, knowing how to place his models in an appropriate setting: intense light, sound and lighting, realism, good impression, truth and sense of nature, sincere and personal style from which any studio influence is banished . It was also a talented pastellist; he also performed some etchings, collaborating with L'Art , L'Artiste and L'Album Cadart ."

Painting: 13.25" x 9.75" in a frame 14.75" x 11.25".The painting is in great condition, there is a little paint missing in the upper right hand corner, hidden under the frame.No signs of restoration or repair.From a NYC estate.