Oxen - Santi Pacini

A detailed eighteenth-century etching by Santi Pacini, depicting oxen and figures in a pastoral setting, based on a drawing by Anton Domenico Gabbiani.

This etching by Santi Pacini depicts a rural scene featuring two oxen and figures attending to a cart. The work is based on a drawing by the Florentine artist Anton Domenico Gabbiani, as indicated by the inscription 'D. Gabbiani del' in the lower left corner. Pacini, an Italian engraver active during the eighteenth century, produced this plate as part of a larger series documenting the works of earlier masters. The composition focuses on the physical form of the animals and the daily labour of the figures. One ox stands in profile, while the other rests on the ground in the foreground. The lines are precise and clean, characteristic of the etching techniques employed for reproductive printmaking during this period. The background remains minimal, providing a sense of space without distracting from the primary subjects. The figures atop the cart are rendered with simple, effective strokes that define their posture and interaction with the load. This print reflects the eighteenth-century interest in documenting pastoral life and the systematic reproduction of drawings for wider circulation. The Roman numeral 'LXXXII' at the bottom centre suggests its inclusion in a numbered collection or catalogue of prints. The work demonstrates the technical skill required to translate the fluid quality of a pen-and-ink drawing into the permanent medium of an etched copper plate. It serves as a record of the artistic dialogue between the original draughtsman and the printmaker, preserving the visual language of the era for subsequent study.