The Bull 1650

Paulus Potter created this etching called "The Bull" in the Netherlands in 1650. This image showcases a large bull, likely intended to symbolize the prosperity and agrarian strength of the Dutch Republic during its Golden Age. Consider how the art market and the rise of a wealthy merchant class fostered an interest in genre scenes and landscapes that celebrated Dutch identity. Potter's detailed rendering of the bull, set against a low horizon, elevates a common animal to a symbol of national pride. Analyzing prints like these requires attention to the economic structures supporting artistic production and consumption in 17th-century Netherlands. Auction catalogs, merchant records, and guild archives are useful for understanding the social and institutional context of the Dutch Golden Age, helping us interpret the meaning of art as contingent on its time.