Artwork
A Cow Standing and Another Lying Down
A Cow Standing and Another Lying Down is an ink print by the Baroque artist Paulus Potter. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1650, this small etching by Dutch artist Paulus Potter depicts two cows in a pastoral setting: one animal stands upright while the other rests on the ground. The composition is rendered with fine lines that convey the texture of the animals’ bodies and the surrounding grass, offering a compact yet detailed view of rural life.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a quiet moment in an open field, emphasizing the natural posture and anatomy of the cows. By juxtaposing a standing figure with a recumbent one, Potter highlights the contrast between activity and repose, inviting viewers to consider the everyday rhythms of farm animals as integral to the landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the image relies on delicate incisions in the metal plate to produce subtle tonal variations. Potter’s skillful handling of line renders the cows’ musculature, visible ribs, and the soft appearance of grass, reflecting his broader interest in realistic animal representation from a low, observational viewpoint.
History & Provenance
Potter, who specialized in animal subjects, produced roughly one hundred works before his premature death from tuberculosis at twenty‑eight. This etching is among his later prints, illustrating the mature phase of his brief career. It has circulated among collectors of Dutch 17th‑century prints and is documented in several museum collections.
Context
The piece belongs to the Dutch Golden Age, a period when artists increasingly focused on naturalistic depictions of everyday life and the countryside. Potter’s attention to anatomical accuracy aligns with contemporary scientific interests, while his choice of a modest, domestic scene reflects the era’s appreciation for genre subjects.
Own this work as a print
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.
