The Carcass of an Ox (Slaughtered Ox) 1655

Rembrandt van Rijn created this painting with oil on canvas. It's a striking depiction of an ox carcass. While seemingly a traditional subject for painting, Rembrandt’s raw portrayal elevates it beyond mere still life. The texture is built up through layers of paint, mimicking the visceral reality of flesh. Look at how he models the fat and muscle, capturing the animal's weight and form. The work involved is evident in the brushstrokes, building a palpable presence. Paintings like this one can be seen in the context of 17th-century Dutch society and the rise of a merchant class, and a growing art market. This society, fuelled by trade and commerce, required resources, including meat. Though seemingly removed, art and slaughterhouses are both part of the same economic system. By understanding the materiality and the social context of this work, we can appreciate Rembrandt's ability to transform the everyday into the extraordinary.