Rural Landscape with Horse and Cart by M. P. Groshong

This is an original oil painting on an unframed artist board or canvas panel, featuring a rural, pastoral scene. The composition depicts a large brown workhorse hitched to a two-wheeled cart laden with brushwood, situated on a dirt path. To the right, a figure in a red cap is seen gathered near the base of several tall, leafless deciduous trees, suggesting a late autumn or winter setting. The color palette is dominated by muted earth tones, including olive greens, browns, and ochre, beneath a dramatic, cloudy sky with hints of blue and pale white light. The painting exhibits a traditional, somewhat Impressionistic brushwork style typical of American regional landscape art from the early-to-mid 20th century. The piece is signed in the lower right corner 'M. P. Groshong'. Regarding condition, there is visible wear along the edges of the substrate, particularly the top edge where some white gesso or board material is exposed. There is also a small vertical scratch or area of paint loss in the upper center of the sky and some general surface grime and fine cracking (craquelure) consistent with age. No evidence of major restoration or overpainting is visible under the current lighting.