William Henry Hunt

A Barn Interior

1830/35
Watercolor, over graphite, with gum arabic, heightened with gouache and scratching out, on paper
31.2 × 45.3 cm (12.3 × 17.8 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Called “Bird’s Nest Hunt” due to his detailed studies of natural objects, William Henry Hunt created genre scenes of unspoiled country life. Considered a Realist, Hunt was known for “honest” subject matter, usually captured in small, close interiors, but here he has depicted a barn like a theatrical stage. Hunt achieved the highlights of this highly detailed watercolor by scratching into the surface of the paper.

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