Recumbent cow and study for the hind legs of a standing cow 1576 - 1599

This detailed black chalk drawing, “Recumbent Cow and Study for the Hind Legs of a Standing Cow,” was created by the Venetian artist Carlo Caliari between 1576 and 1599. It is a study of animal anatomy, a common practice for artists of the time as they sought to accurately depict the natural world in their paintings. The drawing's precise details highlight Caliari’s talent for capturing the textures and forms of the animal, a testament to his skill as a young artist, as he was only 26 when he passed away.