Artwork
Man Struggling with an Ox
Man Struggling with an Ox is a watercolor print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Francesco Costa. It dates from 1747 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: 12; lower center in plate: Costa; by later hand, lower center in graphite: 137
About this work
Overview
Man Struggling with an Ox, an etching by Giovanni Francesco Costa (c. 1747), depicts a surreal, dynamic scene of a man entangled beneath a large ox. The print combines etching with hand-colored watercolor on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The subject features a diminutive man curled under the belly of a giant brown ox, its legs wrapped around him. The ox bears green leaves on its back, and the man wears a distinctive red hat. The interpretation of this unusual imagery is not explicitly documented, leaving the scene's meaning open to viewer interpretation.
Technique & Style
Costa employed etching for the primary composition, supplementing it with hand-applied watercolor for texture and color. Notable details include the textured appearance of the ox's fur and the leaves, contrasted with the soft pink of the ox's belly and the darker tones of the man's attire.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1747, specific details regarding the work's commission, early ownership, or exhibition history are not provided in the available information.
Context
While the work's direct influences are not specified, its dramatic and twisting composition might relate to the expressive qualities of the Baroque movement, though Costa's style here appears somewhat distinct.
Legacy
The work's impact or presence in broader art historical narratives beyond its creation is not detailed in the provided information.
Own this work as a print
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