Cow beside a Ditch — History & Facts
It is a sweltering summer day in a polder landscape in Holland. Willem Maris caused a furore with this subject matter. Already in the 17th century, artists found a scene such as this – of a cow cooling off in the water – picturesque.
Maris succeeded in rendering the natural fall of light on the cow by modelling its coat in alternating thick and thin brushstrokes.
