Costa Rican Ox Cart

PAINTED OXCART

Framed in Native Costa Rican Wood,This Mounted Super High Resolution Digital Photographic Print is available for sale from Professional Photographer Marc Soto.

Has become well known as the colorful symbol of Costa Rica, the painted ox cart. Yes, miniature versions have become popular as mini bars purchased by tourists to ship home. But the history of the ox cart is much more interesting, and they have played a very important part in the economic development of the country.

During the colonial period, they were used for the transportation of coffee, sugar cane, tobacco and other agricultural products. Teams of two oxen would pull the product laden carts down the treacherous paths.

The owners of the oxcarts painted the carts to preserve them. But as time went by, the painting became more and more elaborate. A kind of competition eventually developed over who not only had the finest team of oxen, but who had the most beautiful cart. A national icon was born. Nowadays, you can still find the occasional ox cart in use in the rural areas, and you usually won’t see the intricate designs of days gone by.

But the painted oxcart lives on as a locally beloved art form.

A Beautiful unique addition for any Art Collector.

30" x 40" Super High Resolution Digital Photographic Print
Framed in Native Costa Rican Wood in a Cherry finish.
Photographed by Professional Photographer Marc Soto.

FOB Costa Rica $1900.00 *(Glass not available for shipping)*

In 1988, the government designated the painted oxcart as the National Symbol of Work. This was in recognition of the huge contribution that the humble oxcart made to the economic and social development of Costa Rica.