A Chinese Sow 

James Ward painted “A Chinese Sow” during a transformative period of British agricultural history, likely in the early 19th century. Ward was celebrated for his dynamic animal portraits. This work captures a specific breed, reflecting the burgeoning interest in selective breeding during the agricultural revolution. Here, the sow is depicted not merely as livestock, but with an individual presence. The depiction of animals—particularly livestock—was often intertwined with notions of land ownership and national identity. The painting invites us to consider how the economic value and cultural significance of animals are represented. What does it mean to see a 'Chinese' sow in the English countryside? How does it relate to notions of exoticism and domestication? Ultimately, Ward's “A Chinese Sow” offers insight into the social and economic values that shaped the English countryside. It encourages us to think about the relationship between humans and animals and how identity is ascribed across species.