Jonge os 1645 - 1706

Paulus Potter created this etching titled 'Jonge os,' or 'Young Ox,' during the Dutch Golden Age, a time when the Netherlands was a major economic and artistic power. Potter was a leading figure in the development of Dutch animal painting. While seemingly straightforward, this image operates within a complex framework of class and power dynamics. Potter’s focus on the ox elevates a farm animal to a subject worthy of artistic attention, reflecting the increasing importance of agriculture to the Dutch economy. The image can also be interpreted through a gendered lens. The ox, a castrated bull, represents a kind of domesticated masculinity, one that is controlled and made productive for human use. Consider the emotional implications of representing an animal in this state, stripped of its natural power and purpose. 'Jonge os' invites us to reflect on our relationship with the natural world and the ways in which we exert control over other living beings.