Cow Lying Down near a Fence

Paulus Potter

National Gallery of Art

This is an image of a cow lying next to a fence. The cow is resting on a slightly elevated patch of ground, with its front legs tucked beneath its body and its head slightly lowered. The cow's fur texture and shadows accentuate its form. It has prominent horns and calm eyes. A wooden fence is to the right, showing signs of age. In the background, there are faint horizontal lines suggesting a landscape with trees or bushes. The sky is minimally detailed with a bird flying in the distance. The linework creates a tranquil rural scene.