Artwork
Bull Standing in Water
Bull Standing in Water is an ink print by the Baroque artist Adriaen van de Velde. It dates from 1658 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1658, this etching portrays a solitary bull standing in shallow water, its head turned toward the left.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1658, this etching portrays a solitary bull standing in shallow water, its head turned toward the left. The animal is rendered with fine line work that suggests the texture of its hide, while a few cows and a low hill appear in the background under a light sky, giving the scene a calm, pastoral atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure—a bull—anchors the composition, emphasizing the strength and serenity of rural life. The surrounding cows and gentle landscape hint at a broader farm setting, inviting contemplation of the everyday coexistence between livestock and their environment, a common theme in Dutch genre imagery of the seventeenth century.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the work relies on delicate, short lines to model the bull’s fur and the rippling water at its legs. This attention to surface texture and subtle tonal variation reflects the Baroque interest in realism and detail, while the balanced arrangement of elements showcases the artist’s skill in creating harmonious, intimate scenes.
History & Provenance
The print was produced by Adriaen van de Velde, a Dutch painter and printmaker born in Amsterdam in 1636 and deceased there in 1672. Van de Velde was associated with the Dutch Italianate school, which merged native countryside subjects with influences from Italian art, a synthesis evident in this tranquil, yet meticulously observed composition.
Context
During the mid‑seventeenth century, Dutch artists frequently depicted bucolic settings populated by livestock, reflecting both market demand and a cultural appreciation for agrarian prosperity. Van de Velde’s work aligns with this trend, integrating the Dutch love of detailed naturalism with compositional ideals drawn from Italianate landscape traditions.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van de Velde, was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and print artist. His favorite subjects were landscapes with animals and genre scenes. He also painted beaches, dunes, forests, winter scenes, portraits in…
