This large pastoral oil painting (nearly 51 inches long) portraying a woman walking among animals, has been signed and dated in the lower right by the artist, “Theo Levigne 1883”. The frame features gilded edges adorned with beading that flank brown cavetto molding.

The scene depicts an early fall day as several trees with yellow and brown leaves line a dirt road leading away from town. A woman wearing a blue dress with a red shawl and white bonnet walks down the rough road. Behind the woman is a black dog, while a pair of cows (one black and white, the other brown and white) can be seen in front. There are at least eight sheep to the side, next to a small pond. In the background, beneath a hazy blue sky, are large gray houses, all multi-storied.

Theodore Levigne was born in 1848 in Noiretable, a small commune in central France. A talented youth, Levigne enrolled at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts at the age of 10. By the age of 15, Levigne had already received his first of many painting prizes. Levigne currently has numerous works on display in public collections throughout France.

CONDITION: Good antique condition with minor nicks to canvas and rubs to frame. The frame is not original to the painting, but it has been rigged for hanging purposes. There is a slight bend to the canvas near the signature, commensurate to age and handling.