19th Century Highland Cow Painting, Signed J. Scott (2 of 2)

(2 of 2)

19th-Century Scottish Highland Cattle Paintings by J. Scott (Attributed)

Title: Pair of 19th-Century Highland Cattle Landscape Oils on Board
Artist: J. Scott (signed lower right)
Medium: Oil on board
Period: Circa late 1800s
Origin: United Kingdom / Scottish Highlands (presumed)
Dimensions: 22w x 26h

Signature: Signed “J. Scott”

Description

Presenting a rare pair of evocative 19th-century Highland cattle landscape paintings, each signed by J. Scott. These exceptional works capture the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands, rendered in atmospheric light against dramatic mountainous scenery. The subjects—Highland cattle, known locally as “heilan coos”—stand tranquilly in and beside shimmering water, their shaggy coats illuminated by soft, golden light.

The sweeping vistas and dignified animals convey a romantic vision of Highland life that resonated deeply with Victorian-era landscape painting and countryside aesthetics.

Artist Background

The signature “J. Scott” corresponds to a 19th-century British artist documented in auction records and collectors’ archives. At least one artist identified as J. Scott (1802-1885) has appeared in historical auction catalogues as a British painter of the period, occasionally featuring cows and pastoral scenes in mountainous landscapes. LiveAuctioneers

While there is no comprehensive biography available today, multiple signed paintings by J. Scott regularly surface in the market, confirming the name’s historical use by a landscape and animal painter in the 19th century. His works have been sold at fine art auctions, with prices ranging from modest to substantial depending on scale, condition, and provenance. MutualArt

Subject Matter: Highland Cattle

Highland cattle are one of Scotland’s most beloved and iconic breeds, famous for their hardiness, distinctive long hair, and gentle disposition. Artists of the Victorian era and later were fascinated with these creatures and the romantic Highland landscapes they inhabited. The combination of dramatic terrain with stoic animals made for compelling subjects in landscape and animal painting throughout the 19th century. Lisa Cornwell Fine Art

Artistic Characteristics

• Composition: Each painting situates the cattle within an expansive Highland setting, balancing foreground detail with brooding geological forms.

• Technique: Rich oil handling and atmospheric perspective suggest a knowledgeable hand familiar with plein air influence and studio refinement.

• Signature: The lower right signature “J. Scott” aligns with documented examples attributed to 19th-century British artists of similar subjects. LiveAuctioneers

Provenance & Rarity

Works by J. Scott signed in this manner—especially oils depicting Highland cattle—are uncommon and highly desirable among collectors of Scottish landscape art. Comparable signed watercolours and pastoral works attributed to J. Scott have been catalogued in period auctions and dealers’ inventories, indicating that he was producing signed animal and landscape scenes in the late 1800s. Selling Antiques

Ideal For

• Collectors of British and Scottish 19th-century art

• Enthusiasts of animal and pastoral landscapes

• Those seeking historical works featuring iconic Highland cattle