(Enkhuizen 1625–1654 Amsterdam)
A river landscape with cattle and goats,
signed and dated lower right: P. Potter.f. 16(45?),
oil on panel, 52 x 72 cm, framed

Collector’s red lacquer seal on the reverse.

Provenance:
European Private Collection

We are grateful to Dr Amy Walsh for the following statement: ‘a work by Pieter with the assistance of the young Paulus, who could have painted the brown cattle and possibly the goats. Without having seen the painting to be sold this week it is difficult to be definitive, but I think my most comfortable attribution would be "attributed to Pieter Potter, possibly with the assistance of Paulus Potter."’

The present painting relates to a drawing (see ill.) by the artist in the Teylers Museum, Haarlem, (inv. no. Q+012), which depicts a sitting cow similarly from behind, and also the profile of a horned cow which corresponds closely to one of the standing cattle seen towards the centre of the composition. This work is characteristic of Paulus Potter’s innovation in creating scenes of rural landscapes populated by farm animals, through which he elevated and ennobled the rustic nature of the Dutch countryside, and consequently the prosperity which was gained from working the land. Although he died young at the age of 28, Paulus Potter was prolific during his lifetime, and exerted a great influence upon artists during the Golden Age and afterwards, having worked in the major centres of Delft, The Hague, and Amsterdam.

additional picture:
Paulus Potter, Study of cows, Teylers Museum, Haarlem

Collector’s red lacquer seal on the reverse.

Provenance:
European Private Collection

The present painting relates to a drawing (see ill.) by the artist in the Teylers Museum, Haarlem, (inv. no. Q+012), which depicts a sitting