Mare at a cart 1890

Giovanni Fattori created this painting, Mare at a cart, using oil on board. The composition is dominated by the large form of a dark mare, positioned centrally, almost filling the frame. Her solid, weighty presence is juxtaposed with the surrounding rustic setting. Fattori's use of muted tones and visible brushstrokes creates a sense of immediacy, capturing the raw physicality of the animal and its environment. The subdued palette focuses attention on the interplay of light and shadow across the horse’s muscular body and the rough textures of the cart and backdrop. This aligns with the Macchiaioli movement's emphasis on capturing the effects of light through distinct patches of color, or 'macchie', rather than traditional blending. By emphasizing the materiality of paint and form, Fattori challenges the conventional academic style. The painting becomes less about idealized representation, and more about the act of seeing and translating the sensory experience of light, texture, and form onto the canvas.