Donkey 1833

Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps’ “Donkey” (1833), a small-scale oil painting depicting a heavily laden donkey standing near a crumbling building, showcases the artist's masterful use of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and realism. The work, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, is a testament to Decamps' interest in the everyday lives of ordinary people, particularly those in the Middle East, a region he visited extensively in the 1830s. The painting’s subtle details, from the donkey’s weary posture to the discarded tools scattered on the ground, hint at a tale of hard work and simple living.