#36400 Francisco Iturrino

The composition presents a scene set within a vast, undulating landscape dominated by muted earth tones – ochre, brown, and pale green – underneath a hazy sky. A figure, presumably a laborer or farmer, stands on the right side of the canvas, leaning heavily on a staff. His posture suggests weariness and perhaps resignation; his clothing is simple and functional, indicative of a working-class existence. He appears to be observing something in the foreground with a detached gaze.
The central focus lies upon an animal – likely an ox or bull – lying prostrate within the field. The creature’s body occupies a significant portion of the lower half of the painting, its form rendered with loose brushstrokes that emphasize texture and weight. A visible wound is present on its flank, suggesting it has been slain. The placement of the carcass in this open space evokes themes of mortality and the cyclical nature of life and death within an agricultural context.
In the distance, a town or settlement is discernible, marked by the presence of a church spire rising above the buildings. This distant community provides a sense of scale and suggests a broader societal framework against which the scene unfolds. A few other figures are visible in the background, seemingly engaged in their own activities within the landscape.
The painting’s subdued palette and loose application of paint contribute to an overall atmosphere of melancholy and quiet contemplation. The vastness of the field contrasts with the vulnerability of both the fallen animal and the solitary figure, hinting at themes of human dependence on nature and the harsh realities of rural existence. Theres a sense of isolation conveyed by the placement of the man within this expansive setting; he is present but seemingly disconnected from the immediate tragedy before him. The work doesn’t offer an explicit narrative, instead prompting reflection upon the relationship between labor, loss, and the enduring landscape.