A delightful 19th-century English naïve oil on board painting capturing the spirit of a rustic farmyard scene - full of warmth, humour, folk-art character, and rural charm
At a Glance – Appeal, Desirability & Collectibility
• Date: 19th century
• Origin: England
• Medium: Oil on board
• Artwork Description: Distinctive example of English 19th Century naïve folk art with true rural charm depicting an everyday scene of a farmer, his wife, chickens, and geese in front of their country cottage
• Style & Appeal: Painted in a naïve folk-art style, known for its simplicity and charm, with rich colour and expressive character. The warm palette and simple composition captures the essence of English 19th-century pastoral life - rich in rustic character.
• Historical Context: Naïve art was often created by self-taught artists in the 18th and 19th centuries, offering candid depictions of everyday rural life.
• Delivery is not included - please use the Request Delivery Quote before completing your order
• Collectability: • Collectible and valued for its folk-art authenticity and decorative appeal and its historical and artistic significance, especially among collectors of folk art and English country antiques.
• Decorative Use: Its small size and warm tones make it suitable for both traditional and modern interiors
Heritage, Craftsmanship & Historical Note
This charming 19th-century oil on board depicts a rustic farmyard scene - a farmer and his wife tending to their poultry before a thatched cottage, rendered in a palette of warm ochres and soft greens. The composition is intimate, affectionate, and full of quiet narrative: the figures exchange conversation while hens and geese animate the foreground, their movement captured with endearing simplicity.
Naïve paintings such as this were often created by self-taught artists whose approach favoured intuition over formal training. Their works are prized for their immediacy - candid depictions of everyday life rather than idealised visions. Here, the brushwork and proportions have a spontaneous honesty, typical of folk art that emerged from local communities rather than academic studios.
Beyond its decorative charm, this small yet characterful painting stands as a document of social history - reflecting the rhythms of domestic and agricultural life in rural England during the 19th century. It offers an authentic glimpse into a world where art served as a personal record of the familiar and the beloved.
Explore Every Facet:-
The accompanying photographs reveal the surface texture and tones in detail - the slightly uneven brushwork, subtle cracking of the old varnish, and the gentle play of light across its warm earth palette. The simplicity of the composition heightens its emotional resonance: the sturdy figure of the farmer, the animated gestures of his wife, and the lively flock beneath them. The reverse retains its original aged surface, adding to its authenticity and historical integrity. Viewed closely, the work’s imperfections become part of its poetry - a record of hand, eye, and memory from another century. Our images form an essential part of the condition report for complete purchasing confidence, ensuring a true visual record of its character and craftsmanship.
Styling Suggestions:-
Displayed within a cottage interior, gallery wall, or mixed with antique frames, this painting adds warmth and humanity to any space. Its small scale invites intimate placement - on a shelf, within a cabinet, or layered among larger artworks for visual contrast. Perfect for collectors of folk art or those who appreciate pieces that tell quiet stories of everyday life.
Sustainable Style - Thank you for considering antique furniture - a choice that honours both design and the environment…in every sense, the most sustainable item is the one that endures
Sustainability begins with what already exists; this 19th Century English Naïve Folk Art Oil on Board Painting of a Rural Country Scene with Farmyard Figures exemplifies the sustainable elegance of antique craftsmanship. Its continued relevance speaks to the timeless utility of well-made tools, and its survival ensures that restoration skills and historical knowledge remain alive and valued.
Purchase with Confidence:-
At White’s Antiques, every piece is described and photographed with care, ensuring complete transparency and confidence in your purchase. We are an established and successful business serving both trade and private collectors. You are warmly invited to visit our shop at 53 High Street, Arundel, and our Showroom at The Vinery, Poling, West Sussex, to experience our curated collections first-hand, explore the stories behind each antique, and appreciate these timeless treasures in person.
measurements
Height:
24 cm
Width:
19.500 cm
Depth:
0.500 cm
measurements
declaration
Whites Antiques has clarified that the 19th Century English Naïve Folk Art Oil Painting - Rural Country Scene of a Farmyard (LA551208) is genuinely of the period declared with the date/period of manufacture being 19th Century
declaration
condition
condition
Gently timeworn with small surface marks and age-related wear, consistent with its period.