This oil painting of two horses ploughing dates from 1898 when the artist, Brian Hatton, was eleven years old. This was one of a number of drawings and paintings submitted that year to the Royal Drawing Society. The artist's work received a lot of praise and he won the Gold Star as the best exhibitor. The Gold Star was presented by Queen Victoria's forth daughter, Princess Louise. Brian Hatton's work also attracted the interest of the Victorian artist G.F. Watts as well as Colonel Collins, equerry to Princess Louise. At this time he was largely working in watercolour or pastels. This oil painting shows the light touch and the soft palette associated with these other mediums. In this image these two patient creatures, guided by the ploughman, till the fields. There is peace and serenity in this painting of man and animals working in harmony with nature. Industrialisation has not yet touched their lives.