Artwork
The cow lying down near a tree
The cow lying down near a tree is a print by the Dutch Golden Age artist Paulus Potter. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created circa 1649, this print portrays a solitary cow reclining on its side within a modest grassy expanse.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1649, this print portrays a solitary cow reclining on its side within a modest grassy expanse. The animal rests beneath a sparse canopy of leafless branches, while the uneven earth is dotted with small plants and patches of soil. The composition captures a moment of quiet repose in an otherwise unadorned rural setting.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure is a domestic cow, rendered with attention to its massive, relaxed form. By placing the animal in a tranquil, natural environment, the work reflects the Dutch 17th‑century interest in everyday agrarian life and the dignity of ordinary livestock within the landscape.
Technique & Style
The print employs fine, short strokes to suggest the texture of the cow’s hide and the roughness of the ground. Curved, backward‑pointing horns and the delicate rendering of bark convey a realistic observation. The low viewpoint and emphasis on natural detail are characteristic of the period’s realistic animal genre.
History & Provenance
Attributed to Paulus Potter, a Dutch painter active in the mid‑1600s, the piece belongs to the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection. Potter, baptized in 1625 and deceased in 1654, produced roughly one hundred works before his early death from tuberculosis.
Context
During the Dutch Golden Age, artists frequently depicted pastoral scenes that celebrated the countryside and its inhabitants. Potter’s focus on animals, especially cattle, aligned with contemporary tastes for genre works that combined meticulous observation with a modest, domestic narrative.
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.
