It’s summer in Ohio and many of us have one thing on our mind: state fair. More than 800k visitors across the two week celebration make the Ohio State Fair one of the largest in the country; and, with thousands of dollars in prize money up for grabs, the livestock exhibits are among the most popular. Discriminating farmers have always taken pride in raising animals with impressive physicality; but, in the 19th Century one notable itinerant artist took their animal admiration to a whole new level.
While other artists traveled the countryside, offering to paint portraits of heads of household and their beloved wives and children, Henry Dousa preferred to paint prize steers, horses and homesteads. French-born, Dousa settled in Indiana, but roamed throughout Ohio (particularly Central Ohio) memorialized some of the most impressive livestock our great state had to offer. His peculiarly stiff style does incorporate a naivete that appeals to collectors of early American folk art; and, his attention to detail has secured his significance across many generations. Many of the works by Dousa that have come to market have come directly from the families whose ancestors hired him more than 100 years ago - and command prices ranging from a few thousand to nearly $100,000.
If you head to the Ohio State Fair, take a moment to admire this year’s league of prize-winning livestock. While you are there, make time for a trip across the street to the Ohio Historical Society and take note of our rich agricultural and artistic heritage.
This portrait by Henry Dousa memorializes “Young Hamilton,” a winner at the 1893 World’s Fair. Sold at Garth’s, $7,343.
In this cropped view, the detail in Dousa’s work is apparent. The painting of Dr. Hunter’s farm in Mechanicsburg, Ohio hung on the wall of the home shown here until it sold at Garth’s in August of 2008 for $29,375.
“Big Frank” was painted by Dousa in 1892 and brought $4,700 at Garth’s.
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