Two Cows under a Tree
1670
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1670
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Cows under a Tree is a 1670 ink by Adriaen van de Velde, a Baroque work, depicting cattle, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows two cows standing close together under a leafy tree. Their coats are simple brown and white. One cow faces us while the other looks away. Van de Velde used fine lines to make shadows on the cows’ fur. The tree above has detailed leaves and rough bark. The whole scene feels calm and quiet. Try looking up an etching by Rembrandt to see how this technique works.
