A historic painting showing rural life in the Brecon Beacons has been added to the collection at y Gaer Museum, Art Gallery and Library in Brecon.

‘Figures in the Brecon Beacons with Sheep and Cows’ by John F Tennant, dated 1855, was acquired with support from the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and a grant from the Brecknock Art Trust.

The artwork depicts two people on horseback appearing to guide sheep and cattle along a road, as they pass a person sitting at the roadside.

The painting was brought to the attention of museum staff by the Brecknock Art Trust, which helped trace and purchase the work at auction.

The trust said it had been searching for one of Tennant’s genre scenes set in the Usk Valley and believed the painting would “greatly enrich” y Gaer’s art collection.

Trustees said the work raised questions about its setting, including the time of day, time of year and where the animals were being taken.

Cllr Raiff Devlin, Powys County Council’s cabinet member for customers, digital and community services, said the painting provided a “fascinating view” of the Brecon Beacons and the rural life that had shaped the area for generations.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council England/V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Brecknock Art Trust, residents and visitors will be able to enjoy and learn from this piece as part ofyY Gaer’s growing collection,” he said.

The painting is now on display at y Gaer, with visitors encouraged to view the artwork alongside the museum, gallery and library’s wider collections.