Artwork
A Cow
A Cow is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Paulus Potter. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1647, *A Cow* is an oil painting by Dutch artist Paulus Potter, a figure of the 17th‑century Dutch Golden Age. The work portrays a single bovine set against a modestly detailed countryside, rendered with a restrained palette that emphasizes form over ornament. It is part of the permanent collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a brown‑toned cow standing calmly in a grassy meadow, its head turned to the right as if pausing while grazing. A faint horizon reveals distant trees and a low building, situating the animal within a tranquil rural environment and underscoring the everyday presence of livestock in Dutch agrarian life.
Technique & Style
Potter employs a low viewpoint that brings the animal forward, allowing careful observation of its musculature and coat. Contrasting dark and light browns create volume, while subtle atmospheric perspective in the background conveys depth. The restrained brushwork and naturalistic detail reflect the artist’s specialization in animal studies within landscape settings.
History & Provenance
During his brief career, Potter produced roughly one hundred paintings before his death from tuberculosis at age twenty‑eight. *A Cow* entered the Statens Museum for Kunst’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public as an example of his mature work.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paulus Potter (Dutch pronunciation: ; 20 November 1625 (baptised) – 17 January 1654 (buried)) was a Dutch painter who specialized in landscapes featuring animals, often from a low vantage point.
