A highly atmospheric painting of Highland Cattle crossing a Scottish moorland with dramatic mountains behind by Louis Bosworth Hurt. Having grazed the higher slopes, the cattle make their way to the lower ground and its refreshing water source.

Louis Bosworth Hurt was born on 20 May, 1856 in Ashbourne, Derbyshire in 1856 to James Roger Hurt, a tailor and woollen draper and Bessie Hurt (née Hall Twells). He was actually christened Louis Bosworth Twells Hurt after his mother’s family, but mostly went by the name Louis Bosworth Hurt. He initially worked as an apprentice draper most likely to his grandfather and father. However, as his talent for painting emerged during his spare time he began taking lessons with the landscape artist George Turner (1843-1910) who lived in nearby Barrow on Trent, along with his son William Lakin Turner (1867-1936). It is not known when Hurt developed an interest in highland cattle, but given that Turner and his son also painted Highland scenes, it seems likely that he was inspired by him and may even have accompanied them on painting trips to Scotland.

By the early 1880’s Hurt had become a full time artist in oils specialising in highland scenes. In 1881, at the age of 24 he began exhibiting at the Royal Academy and also at the Royal Society of British Artists. His work attracted a number of wealthy patrons, gaining him many commissions and he became a successful artist. He married the artist Harriette Marion Bickley on 11 June, 1885 at St John the Baptist church, Woking. His wife also had an interest in highland scenes and exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists. She was from Woking, a considerable distance from Ashbourne so it is possible they met on a painting trip to the Highlands.

Together the couple settled at Ivonbrook, South Darley near Matlock and had 3 children. Their common interests extended to keeping highland cattle at their property, which enabled them to study the animals in more detail. His love of highland cattle meant they were often featured in his work and ultimately, it is these subjects that he is perhaps best known for. As well as continuing to visit the highlands, he also developed a deep connection with North Wales. He kept a cottage in Betws-y-Coed, where he would often go to paint the dramatic views of Snowdonia and the surrounding areas.

Hurt continued to live at Ivonbrook in South Darley until his death on8 December 1929. Examples of his paintings can be found at Nuneaton Museum, Reading Museum, Rotherham Heritage Services, Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Shrewsbury Museum.

© Benton Fine Art