Artwork
A Horse, Buffalo, Sheep, and Goat in an Italian Landscape
A Horse, Buffalo, Sheep, and Goat in an Italian Landscape is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johann Elias Ridinger. It dates from 1748 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1748, this print combines etching and engraving on laid paper to portray a tranquil Italian countryside populated by a horse, buffalo, sheep and goat. The composition centers the horse, while the other animals are arranged around it amid rocky terrain, trees and shrubbery, offering a detailed view of pastoral life.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a realistic gathering of domesticated and wild animals, emphasizing the harmony between species within a natural setting. By placing the horse at the focal point, the artist underscores its prominence in agrarian society, while the surrounding fauna contribute to a balanced, serene tableau.
Technique & Style
Ridinger employed fine lines and varied textures characteristic of 18th‑century etching and engraving, rendering the animals with anatomical accuracy and the landscape with meticulous detail. The use of laid paper adds a subtle tooth that enhances the depth of the engraved marks.
History & Provenance
German artist Johann Elias Ridinger, noted for his animal studies, produced the print as part of his broader oeuvre that also included designs for Meissen porcelain. The piece reflects his dual reputation as both a printmaker and a designer for decorative arts during the mid‑1700s.
Context
Situated within the landscape genre, the image aligns with contemporary European interest in idealized rural scenes that combined scientific observation of fauna with aesthetic appreciation of nature. Ridinger’s work contributed to the period’s visual catalogue of animal life, bridging artistic and naturalist traditions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Elias Ridinger (16 February 1698 in Ulm – 10 April 1767 in Augsburg) was a German painter, engraver, draughtsman and publisher.
