Paulus Potter - Cattle, Sheep, and Goats at Pasture near an Over-shot Watermill

Paulus Potter was a Dutch painter who lived between 1625 and 1654. He is best known for his paintings of animals, especially cows, often depicted in pastoral landscapes. Potter was born into a family of artists and began his career as a painter at an early age. He studied with his father, Pieter Potter, and later with the painter Jacob de Wet. Potter's work was in great demand during his lifetime and he received commissions from wealthy patrons throughout the Netherlands. Despite his short career, Potter is considered one of the most important animal painters of the Dutch Golden Age. His paintings continue to be admired for their realism, attention to detail and pastoral charm.