Pastoral Lakeside Scene with Figures and Cattle

Antique Chromolithographic Print, c. 1890–1910
Presented in Ornate Gilt Frame

The Piece

A serene pastoral scene depicting figures resting along a rocky lakeshore as cattle wade into still water, set against layered hills and distant mountains under a softened sky. The composition is balanced and idyllic, emphasizing harmony between landscape, labor, and domestic life.

The imagery draws directly from late 19th-century European pastoral tradition, a genre that favored idealized rural scenes meant to evoke calm, order, and continuity. These works were widely collected at the turn of the century and commonly displayed in parlors, studies, and sitting rooms as symbols of taste and stability.

This example is a high-quality chromolithographic print, produced after an original painting and intended for decorative display rather than academic study. The color palette remains soft and atmospheric, with gentle tonal transitions that suit the subject matter.

Medium & Production

• Antique chromolithographic print on paper

• Produced after a pastoral landscape painting

• Likely European origin, late 19th to early 20th century (c. 1890–1910)

• Mounted and framed for domestic display

Chromolithography was the preferred process for fine decorative prints during this period, prized for its ability to reproduce painterly color and depth.

Frame & Presentation

• Ornate gilt frame with foliate and floral relief

• Beaded inner liner and stepped molding profile

• Wood construction with gilt finish

• Period backing paper retained

The frame is integral to the piece and appears contemporaneous, reflecting late Victorian or Edwardian decorative taste. It elevates the image and gives the work its presence.

Condition

Good antique condition.

• Print shows gentle, even age toning consistent with period materials

• No major tears or losses visible

• Frame retains strong detail with areas of expected wear and patina

• Backing intact with period paper and handling marks

All wear is consistent with age and contributes to authenticity rather than detracting from display.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This is atmospheric wall art in the truest sense.

It works beautifully in spaces that benefit from warmth and texture: libraries, dining rooms, bedrooms, or layered traditional interiors. The subject is calming and familiar without being saccharine, and the ornate frame provides architectural weight.

Placed among modern pieces, it creates contrast. Placed in a traditional setting, it feels natural and grounded.

This is the kind of object that makes a room feel lived-in rather than styled.

Dealer Perspective

Antique pastoral prints with intact, high-quality frames are increasingly difficult to find in presentable condition. Many survive stripped of their frames or overly restored. This example retains its original visual authority and reads immediately as an antique object, not a reproduction or decorative afterthought.

It is honest, decorative, and stable. Exactly what many buyers are looking for right now.