To øg, det ene døende 1652

Paulus Potter made this print, "Two Oxen, the One Dying," around 1652 in the Netherlands. The image might seem like a simple pastoral scene, but it speaks volumes about the social and economic realities of the time. Potter’s choice to depict the harsh realities of animal life, rather than idealized landscapes, can be seen as a commentary on the growing Dutch economy and its impact on rural life. The detailed rendering of the animals emphasizes the importance of livestock to Dutch prosperity, but their poor condition hints at the potential for exploitation and neglect within this system. To understand this work more fully, we can explore the archives of the period, including agricultural records, economic reports, and even veterinary texts. These resources would allow us to understand the social conditions that shaped Potter's artistic production and to reflect on the complex relationship between art, society, and the institutions that govern them.