Paulus PotterDutch, 1625–1654The Bull
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Art Institute of Chicago
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
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- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Paulus Potter was the preeminent animal artist of the Dutch Republic. His paintings and prints of monumentalized bulls for sophisticated court patrons in particular epitomize the beasts of the Dutch farmland. His slightly caricatured style betrayed a wry and occasionally earthy wit, which he sometimes used for political allegory. By his early death at age 29 he had created his own market niche of animal portraiture, leading the way for 18th-century artists such as George Stubbs, who would paint literal portraits of prized livestock for their proud owners.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Particulars
- Accession number
- 1887.456
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
Meanwhile, in the life of Paulus Potter
The whole life1649
Moves to The Hague: a house from van Goyen
Potter rents a house in The Hague from the painter Jan van Goyen and joins the local painters' guild; for several years he lives next door to van Goyen.
1649–1652 · Workplace
The Hague
3 July 1650
Marries Adriana van Balckeneynde
Potter marries Adriana van Balckeneynde, daughter of the Hague master carpenter and building contractor Claes Dircksz, who lived nearby; his father-in-law introduces him to the Dutch elite. None of their children will reach adulthood.
1 May 1652
Moves to Amsterdam at Tulp's invitation
At the invitation of the physician Nicolaes Tulp, who already owned a number of his paintings, Potter goes to Amsterdam. Impressed by the artist's civilized behaviour and politeness, Tulp has him paint his son Dirck as a noble equestrian, life-size, with the head painted on a portrait originally intended for someone else.
1652–1654 · Workplace
Amsterdam
