Artwork
A Red Ox Standing
A Red Ox Standing is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Paulus Potter. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Red Ox Standing is a 17th-century oil painting by Dutch artist Paulus Potter, created around 1650. It is one of approximately 100 works produced by the artist before his early death.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a solitary red-brown ox in a serene grassy field, with a distant church steeple visible on the horizon. The ox is rendered in detail, with a focus on its robust physique and tranquil demeanor.
Technique & Style
Potter employed a low perspective to emphasize the ox, using a simple background to draw the viewer's attention to the animal. The textured fur of the ox is achieved through skilled brushwork, with subtle variations in color.
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.
