Cow beside a Ditch, Willem Maris, c. 1885 - c. 1895
oil on canvas, h 65cm × w 81cm More details
It is a sweltering summer day in a polder landscape in Holland. Willem Maris caused a furore with this subject matter. Already in the 17th century, artists found a scene such as this – of a cow cooling off in the water – picturesque. Maris succeeded in rendering the natural fall of light on the cow by modelling its coat in alternating thick and thin brushstrokes.
