Koe zichzelf likkend c. 1657 - 1677

"Koe zichzelf likkend" (Cow Licking Itself) is an etching created by Dutch artist Marcus de Bye, dating back to approximately 1657-1677. This small-scale work, measuring only 115 mm in height and 148 mm in width, depicts a single cow in a field, its back turned to the viewer as it licks its flank. The detailed rendering of the cow's anatomy and the delicate hatching lines used for the foliage and clouds showcase de Bye's mastery of this technique, characteristic of Dutch animal studies during the Golden Age. This etching, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, offers a glimpse into the artist's keen observation of the natural world.