The Turkey Girl by Charles McIlhenney

Charles Morgan McIlhenney (American, 1858–1904) The Turkey GirlOil on canvas20¼ × 30¼ in. Signed lower right. A quiet study of rural life, The Turkey Girl exemplifies Charles Morgan McIlhenney’s sensitivity to atmosphere and his naturalistic approach to figure and landscape. The painting depicts a young farm girl tending a small flock of turkeys amid the muted hues of late autumn. The subdued palette of russet and gold, softened by the misty distance beyond, evokes both the serenity and solitude of agrarian existence. McIlhenney’s brushwork alternates between delicate precision in the girl’s features and a freer, more impressionistic handling of foliage and ground, creating a gentle rhythm between human presence and the surrounding natural world. Born in Philadelphia, McIlhenney trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Eakins, whose influence can be seen in his devotion to realism and truth of observation. He continued his studies in Paris at the Académie Julia