Search

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

About arrow_back

Admission for everyone is always free! Check here for current hours and more.

A concrete cantilevered building against blue sky and green landscaping

Collections arrow_back

The Johnson Museum holds more than 40,000 works in its collection from around the world.

A large green wall with oil paintings in gold frames above a tiled floor

Exhibitions arrow_back

Check out what’s on view this season at the Museum and look back through our history.

A museum interior space with paintings and concrete walls and stairs

Events arrow_back

Free events for everyone, plus special programs for students, families, and more!

A concrete-walled lobby with windows, a tiled floor, and a circular desk

Learn arrow_back

The Johnson Museum actively contributes to the intellectual life of our campus and community.

The top of a concrete spiral staircase with a wooden railing

Support arrow_back

Help the Johnson Museum continue its legacy by making a gift today.

A tall tree is the focal point of a garden in between two concrete buildings

42 of 7,991

Constant Troyon

(French, 1810–1865)

Le retour à la ferme (Return to the Farm)

View All Works

Object Details

Artist

Constant Troyon

Date

1859

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

51 1/4 x 39 1/2 inches (130.2 x 100.3 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of the Estate of Eugenie G. Walker

Object
Number

56.243

This painting, which has not been on view for many years, was beautifully conserved by the Williamst(…)

This painting, which has not been on view for many years, was beautifully conserved by the Williamstown Art Conservation Center in 2017. It can now be newly appreciated as a splendid example of Troyon’s animal paintings, replete with a low horizon line, a brilliantly blue cloud-filled sky, and virtuoso handling of the landscape elements. From the late 1840s, Troyon focused his efforts almost exclusively on this genre largely inspired by the work of seventeenth-century Dutch painters Aelbert Cuyp and Paulus Potter. The white cow in the immediate center foreground pauses on the dirt path home, head slightly turned, seemingly to “pose” for her portrait.

Formerly in the collection of businessman Charles Crocker, cofounder of the Central Pacific Railroad, this painting broke two American auction records: the first in 1896 ($24,500) and again in 1907 ($65,000). With the rise of modernism, Troyon’s work fell out of fashion and never reached such lofty financial heights again.

(“Highlights from the Collection: 45 Years at the Johnson,” curated by Stephanie Wiles and presented at the Johnson Museum January 27–July 22, 2018)

Discover More

Nasturtiums in a Vase

Ellen Robbins

Lucretia

Leonardo Grazia, called Leonardo da Pistoia

Lake Losepe

William Mason Brown

Create an account

Please take a moment to fill your information to create your account.

Reset Password

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive mail with link to set new password.

Save Artwork

Save the artwork in any of your exhibitions or create a new one.

You have not made any exhibitions.

Create New Exhibition

Create New Exhibition