Sheep in Manger 

Charles Jacque’s ‘Sheep in Manger’ is an oil painting that shows us farm animals at rest. Jacque was part of the Barbizon School, who took a down-to-earth approach to landscape and rural life. Looking closely, you can see that the paint is applied with thick, expressive brushstrokes, particularly in the animals' wool. This textural approach gives a sense of the real, lived experience of the barn. The layering of paint mimics the layering of straw on the ground, emphasizing the importance of the animals' habitat and the everyday labor involved in farming. It’s easy to see the connection between this kind of work, with its emphasis on humble subject matter and honest craft, and wider social issues of labor and rural life. Ultimately, the painting reminds us that even in the realm of fine art, the materials, making, and context are critical to understanding the work's full meaning.