The Goatherd - Bartolomeo Pinelli

A detailed etching by Bartolomeo Pinelli depicting a goatherd at work in the Roman Campagna, surrounded by classical architectural ruins.

Bartolomeo Pinelli was a prolific Roman artist, best known for his documentation of the customs, costumes, and daily life of the Italian populace during the early nineteenth century. This etching, titled Il Capraro, captures a quiet, domestic moment in the Roman Campagna. A goatherd kneels to milk his animal, while a woman stands nearby, observing the task. The scene is framed by the characteristic ruins and classical architectural elements that define much of Pinelli's work, reflecting the pervasive influence of the antique environment on the contemporary life of the region.

Pinelli employed a precise, linear etching technique to define the textures of the goat's shaggy coat, the folds of the figures' clothing, and the weathered stone of the background structures. His style is marked by a clear, descriptive approach that prioritises narrative clarity over atmospheric effects. The composition is balanced, with the figures placed in the foreground to create a sense of immediacy. The inclusion of the classical column and arch in the background provides a specific geographical and cultural context, grounding the scene in the outskirts of Rome.

This print belongs to a broader series of works in which Pinelli catalogued the various trades and social types of his time. By focusing on the mundane activities of rural workers, he provided a visual record of a society that was rapidly changing. His work remains a primary source for historians interested in the social history of Italy during the Napoleonic and Restoration periods. The print demonstrates his ability to combine technical skill with a keen eye for ethnographic detail, resulting in a work that is both a study of form and a document of cultural heritage.