Henry Schouten artwork • painting • previously for sale A shepherd and flock

Henry Schouten was a Belgian animal painter. Under the tutelage of Alfred Verwee at the art academy in Brussels, he evolved to specialise in paintings of landscapes with livestock. Alongside cows and horses, he gradually expanded his repertoire to include dogs and poultry. In keeping with contemporary tastes, he depicted them in their natural surroundings, paying special attention to the characteristic features of different breeds. Schouten's paintings were much prized by the wealthy Belgian bourgeoisie in the second half of the nineteenth century.