Artwork
Team of Oxen
Team of Oxen is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Jacque. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Team of Oxen, created by Charles-Émile Jacque in 1868, is a print embodying the Barbizon School’s emphasis on rural themes. Jacque, a French painter and engraver, often depicted agricultural scenes, aligning with the movement’s focus on everyday country life.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a common farming scene: two oxen harnessed to a plow, guided by a figure, set against a backdrop of dry soil and a prominent tree. This reflects Jacque’s interest in documenting the mundane aspects of agricultural labor.
Technique & Style
Executed with simple, expressive lines, the work suggests a quick, possibly spontaneous, drawing style. The rendering of the oxen’s fur and the farmer’s attire emphasizes functionality over detail, consistent with the Barbizon School’s realistic yet understated approach.
History & Provenance
Originally titled 'Attelage de Bœufs,' the work was produced during Jacque’s association with the Barbizon School, a period marked by his collaboration with notable artists like Jean-François Millet.
Context
Team of Oxen situates itself within the broader Realist movement, which sought to honestly depict ordinary life and work, moving away from romanticized or idealized representations of rural existence.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Team of Oxen' are not highlighted, it contributes to the Barbizon School’s overall influence on the representation of rural life in 19th-century French art, underscoring the value of everyday subjects.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles-Émile Jacque (23 May 1813 – 7 May 1894) was a French painter of Pastoralism and engraver who was, with Jean-François Millet, part of the Barbizon School. He first learned to engrave maps when he spent seven years in the French Army.
