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Little Donkey in Sunlight (Somarello al sole)

Giovanni Fattori

1875

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Little Donkey in Sunlight (Somarello al sole) is a 1875 ink by Giovanni Fattori, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Giovanni Fattori
When & what style?: 1875 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a donkey standing in bright light, its fur detailed in quick, scratchy lines. The animal’s head is turned slightly, and its ears perk up. A saddle sits on its back, and a shadow falls under its belly, making the ground look uneven. The paper has a rough texture, like the donkey’s coat, and the edges are torn. This version was made early—before the artist cleaned up the plate for the final print. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Fattori used acid and needles to create these sharp, textured lines.