Der störrische Esel 1856

Anton Romako painted ‘The Stubborn Donkey’ using oil on canvas. Look closely, and you'll see Romako’s gestural brushstrokes, moving to create the impression of light and shadow. The texture of the paint itself adds to the overall expressive quality of the work. The artist’s use of oil paint is interesting here, traditionally used to capture high society in portraits, or depict biblical scenes. But Romako uses this medium to capture the struggle of everyday life. You can see how the earth tones evoke the landscape, and the figures’ clothes suggest a working class existence. The donkey's resistance becomes a symbol of the challenges faced by the laboring class, who might also be seen as stubborn or uncooperative. Romako used his technique to challenge social norms. By applying high art methods to everyday subjects, he elevates the ordinary and encourages us to look beyond traditional class boundaries.