Goats c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco Londonio’s etching, "Goats." It shows three goats in a natural setting. I’m struck by the detail in the rendering of their fur. What can you tell me about this artwork? Curator: Notice how Londonio meticulously depicts each hair, attending to the labor involved in creating such detail. The availability and cost of etching materials at the time would influence the scale and intricacy of the work. How might this relate to the emerging market for pastoral imagery? Editor: So, the materials and market influenced the depiction of something seemingly simple, like goats? It makes you think about the social context of art production. Curator: Precisely. Understanding the work involves understanding the economic and material conditions that shaped its creation and consumption.