Cows in a New Hampshire Landscape 

Asher Brown Durand likely created this “Cows in a New Hampshire Landscape” with oil paint on canvas, sometime in the mid-19th century. Durand applied his paints in a precise, almost scientific manner. Look closely, and you'll see a vast number of individual strokes, especially in the trees. This wasn't just about depicting the landscape accurately, but also about showing his skill. Oil paint allowed him to capture light and shadow, texture, and atmosphere with remarkable fidelity. This approach aligns with the broader interest in natural sciences at the time, and the philosophy of examining nature closely to understand it better. The final painting would have been displayed in a home or gallery, demonstrating both Durand's artistic ability and the cultural value of depicting the American landscape. In a way, the painting itself becomes a commodity. The canvas and the oil paint—produced through industrial processes—enabled Durand to present a vision of nature shaped by cultural and economic forces.