A Cow Standing and Another Lying Down 1650

Paulus Potter made this print of two cows using etching, a process that involves biting lines into a metal plate with acid, then inking and printing it. Look closely, and you will notice the variation in the quality of the lines that define the animals. Some are thin and wiry, others thicker and bolder, creating a sense of depth and texture. Potter was a master of this technique. In 17th-century Netherlands, the dairy industry was booming, and these animals were a direct reflection of the Dutch Republic’s economic prosperity. But it is also important to remember the labor and environmental changes necessary for this industry to flourish. Potter's choice to depict farm animals was not just an aesthetic one; it was a conscious engagement with the everyday realities of Dutch society, tied to issues of land use, labor, and consumption. Considering these factors allows us to recognize the work not only as a beautiful artwork, but also as a social document, deeply embedded in its time.