The Family Cow Value Guide

This 1869 oil on canvas, titled 'The Family Cow' or 'Calf's Head', is a significant early work attributed to the renowned American Impressionist William Merritt Chase. It exemplifies the 19th-century artistic tradition of elevating livestock to dignified subjects, showcasing Chase's versatility beyond his later famous portraits and landscapes.

What Is The Family Cow Worth?

The typical price range for The Family Cow is $10,000 - $12,000 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The attribution to William Merritt Chase, a prominent figure in American art history, significantly drives the $10,000-$12,000 valuation.
• The condition of the oil pigments and the integrity of the 19th-century canvas and wooden frame.
• Historical relevance of the 1869 era and the rarity of Chase's early animal-focused subjects compared to his later works.
• Market demand for 19th-century American pastoral scenes and livestock portraiture.

How to Identify The Family Cow?

• Examine the canvas for the specific 1869 dating and stylistic hallmarks of early American Impressionism.
• Verify the depiction of the brown cow's head featuring a distinct white blaze against a soft pastoral background.
• Check the period-correct wood frame which houses the original oil on canvas medium.
• Consult provenance records linking the piece to William Merritt Chase's agricultural series.

History of The Family Cow

This painting, 'The Family Cow' also known as 'Calf's Head', is attributed to William Merritt Chase, a prominent American Impressionist painter. While often recognized for his portraits and landscapes, Chase also captured serene agricultural scenes. This piece reflects a common artistic theme of the 19th century, where livestock were depicted with a sense of dignity and connection to the land.