Artwork
Cal
Cal is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Wouterus Verschuur. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Romania.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1850, this oil painting by Dutch animal painter Wouterus Verschuur portrays a single horse. The animal faces leftward against a muted brown backdrop that lightens toward the right edge of the canvas. The work is titled simply “Cal,” suggesting the depicted horse may have been known by that name.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a brown horse with a striking white mane and a dark harness. The animal’s calm stance and direct gaze convey a sense of quiet dignity, typical of 19th‑century equine portraiture that often celebrated the bond between horse and owner.
Technique & Style
Verschuur employs warm, earthy pigments to model the horse’s flesh, while the harness is rendered in deeper tones that enhance contrast. Visible brushwork creates a textured surface, and careful chiaroscuro gives the figure a three‑dimensional presence, guiding the eye across the animal’s form.
History & Provenance
The painting dates to the mid‑nineteenth century, a period when Dutch artists frequently specialized in realistic animal studies. While specific ownership records are not documented, the work remains attributed to Verschuur, whose oeuvre is noted for its faithful representation of livestock and working horses.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Wouterus Verschuur was a Dutch painter of animal subjects – mainly horses – and of landscapes. He is one of the later representatives of Romanticism in Dutch art.
