Algerian Ox, North African Cattle Chromolithograph by Olivier de Penne, 1863

This is an original antique chromolithograph, printed in color from several lithographic stones, from Victor Borie's Animaux de la Ferme, Espèce Bovine, published in Paris about 1863. The plate is lettered "RACE D'ALGÉRIE, BŒUF" (Algerian breed, ox). The ox walks toward the viewer's left in full profile, a lean, slate gray animal with a deep brisket, dark curving horns that rise from the poll, a pale muzzle and paler, buff colored lower legs. His tail hangs to a light switch, and he moves across a sandy yellow ground with a gray shadow beneath him and a band of gray distance behind.

Above the image, the plate is headed Animaux de la Ferme, Espèce Bovine (Farm Animals, Cattle), with the imprint "Lib. Agricole de la Maison Rustique rue Jacob, 26, Paris" at left (the agricultural bookshop of the Maison Rustique), and "par Victor Borie" (by Victor Borie) at right. Below the image, the artist's credit reads "Ol. de Penne del" and the printer's line reads "Imp. Zanote rue des Boulangers, 13, Paris" (printed by Zanote, rue des Boulangers, Paris). The abbreviation stands for delineavit, drew it. The artist is the French animal painter Charles Olivier de Penne (1831 to 1897).

Algeria was then under French rule, and its cattle are shown here alongside the breeds of France. Borie's album sets out the cattle of France alongside British and other foreign breeds, each animal shown in profile on a plain ground so that build, coat and horns can be compared. It was issued by the Librairie Agricole de la Maison Rustique, the Paris publisher of agricultural books.

The clear profile and warm palette suit a kitchen, study or country house, alone or with other plates from the series.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.