In Pastures New by Henry F. Farny

This landscape composition of remarkable poetic lyricism entitled “In Pastures New” is a major painting created by Henry Farny. Through this pastoral scene at twilight, the artist explores the symbiosis between Native American communities and the wild nature of the plains. The work is distinguished by its peaceful atmosphere, moving away from action scenes to favor a contemplative and respectful realism of tribal life, filled with a great sensitivity.

At the center of this horizontal work, two Native American riders stand on a dirt path nested with large boulders. The man on the right, on a sturdy black horse, wears a fur headpiece and points his left arm toward the horizon to guide his companion. The latter, riding a spotted white horse, listens to him attentively. In the background, a wide, calm river stretches under a misty and pale sky where a low sun shines as a clear disc. On the left, a bare tree stands alone near the bank, while the dry vegetation of the plains completes this twilight scene.

The delicacy of Farny’s technique is apparent in his masterful management of the misty atmosphere and the low twilight light. His exceptional pictorial skill is confirmed through the anatomical precision of the horses and the subtlety of his soft color palette, giving great poetry to this realistic artwork.