Little Donkeys at Rest (Sosta di somarelli) 1885 - 1888

Giovanni Fattori made this print, Little Donkeys at Rest, using etching, a printmaking technique that relies on the corrosive action of acid on a metal plate. Lines are drawn through a protective coating, then the plate is submerged in acid. The longer it sits, the deeper the lines etched, and the more ink they will hold when printed. Here, the etched lines create a scene of working animals at rest, their weariness palpable. Fattori's print captures a rural scene, but also suggests the social realities of labor, and the everyday lives of working people. The print's intimate scale echoes the unglamorous labor it depicts. The choice of etching as a medium is itself significant. Unlike painting or sculpture, printmaking allowed for the wider distribution of images, making art more accessible. This democratic aspect aligns with Fattori's sympathetic portrayal of humble subjects. So, when you look at this print, consider not just the scene it depicts, but also the means by which it was made, and how these choices reflect the artist's social concerns.