The Cow and the Calf
17th century
Medium
Etching; first of three states
Dimensions
Sheet (Trimmed): 6 1/8 × 5 1/2 in. (15.5 × 14 cm) Plate: 6 in. × 5 3/8 in. (15.2 × 13.7 cm)
Classification
Prints
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011
Accession Number
2012.136.615
Tags
Art Historical Context
Karel Dujardin's *The Cow and the C* (17th century) captures a tender moment in pastoral life, showcasing a mother cow and her calf in a serene rural setting. As a leading Dutch Golden Age artist,ujardin was renowned for his idyllic depictions of animals, peasants, and landscapes, often with an Italianate warmth from his travels in Italy. This etching reflects his masterful ability to evoke the harmony of nature, a popular theme during the prosperous era of the Dutch Republic when such scenes celebrated the countryside's tranquility amid urban growth. Printed as the first of three states, thi...
About the Artist
Karel Dujardin · 1626–1678
Karel Dujardin, born in Amsterdam on September 27, 1626, was the son of the little-known painter Guilliam du Gardin. His early training came under the guidance of Nicolaes Berchem, a master whose influence is evident in Dujardin's animal and landscape depictions, while he was also inspired by the works of Paulus Potter. As a young artist, Dujardin traveled to Italy, where he immersed himself in th...