Paulus Potter was a renowned Dutch painter of the seventeenth century, known for his unique style and captivating works on animals. He was the first established painter to depict animals as the main subject in his paintings, with human figures and landscapes taking a secondary role. Trained by his father, he quickly developed his own artistic style and gained fame for his works. While he began his career in Amsterdam, his best paintings were created in Delft. He later moved to Hague and received royal patronage for a brief period before returning to Amsterdam. Despite his untimely death at the age of 28, Potter left behind over 100 documented works, with ‘The Young Bull’ being one of his most celebrated pieces. However, critics argue that his ‘Orpheus Charming the Beasts’ is aesthetically more fulfilling. Although he did not have any recorded students, his works have had a significant influence on later artists.
Quick Facts
- Died At Age: 28
- Died on: January 17, 1654
- Place of death: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Cause of Death: Tuberculosis
Childhood & Early Years
Paulus Potter was born in November 1625 in the city of Enkhuizen in the North Holland province of Netherlands. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, old records show that he was baptized on November 20 of the same year.
According to Netherlands Institute for Art History (RKD), his father, Pieter Symonsz Potter, was the city secretary of Enkhuizen and was also a renowned painter. He specialized in genre and farm landscapes. His mother, Aaltje Paulusdr Bartsius, was the sister of another well-known artist, Willem Bartsius.
Apart from Paulus, the couple had two more children, Pieter II and Maria. Paulus was born second. Initially, the family lived in Enkhuizen. Later in 1628, they moved to Leiden and finally settled in Amsterdam in 1631.
In Amsterdam, they lived in Sint Antoniesbreestraat, a fashionable street, which housed the residences of many well-known artists. Among them was Pieter Codde, whose wife moved into their home once Paulus’ mother died.
Paulus Potter began his painting lessons under his father’s guidance while living in Amsterdam. From the beginning, he followed his father’s footsteps and began to draw farm scenes as well as extensive landscapes with animals in it. Very soon he grew a style of his own.
Some researchers also claim that Paulus also studied under Amsterdam painter Claes Moeyaert. It is to be noted that both Moeyaert and senior Potter had the same style.
It has also been found that in 1642, one ‘P. Potter’ was registered as a student of Jacob de Wet, an artist from Haarlem. Therefore, it seems, along with studying under his father, Paulus also received training under other teachers and was familiar with the artistic environment of the city.
Career
It is possible that Paulus Potter started his career as a painter in the early 1640s in the city of Amsterdam. By 1646, he moved to Delft, a city in the province of Southern Holland and lived there till 1649.
At Delft, Potter continued with his painting work and in 1646, entered the Guild of St. Luke. It was a city guild for painters and other artists named after the patron saint of artists, St Luke. 1647 was a significant year for Potter. Many of his finest paintings bear this date and it is generally accepted that Paulus Potter reached his peak during this period.
In 1649, Paulus Potter left Delft and settled in Hague. Here, he initially lived in the house of Jan Van Goyen, a very well-known artist of that era. He also met architect Claes van Balkeneynde, who was also a leading building contractor in the city, and married his daughter.
After the wedding, his father-in-law introduced Potter to the Dutch elite, who were impressed by his talent. Amalia of Solms-Braunfels, regent of Orange-Nassau, was one of them.
Sometime now, Potter created a painting with a pissing cow for Amalia of Solms-Braunfels. However, the painting offended the court ladies. It is also believed that Potter did not fulfill all his obligations. In 1651, he was sued by the Royal Court for such failure.
Sometime in 1652, Potter was invited to settle in Amsterdam by the city Mayor Nicolaes Tulp. Accordingly, he went back to Amsterdam by May 1652. Here too he was patronized by many art lovers.
In 1653, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of Nicholas’ son Diederik Tulp. The painting showed Diederik riding a horse. However, it is said that it was actually an old painting, which Potter could not sell. He just changed the face of the rider and passed it as Diederik’s portrait.
Major Works
‘The Young Bull’, painted in 1647, is said to be one of the best works of Paulus Potter. This life-size painting created on canvas by oil offers detailed realism and is said to be one of the three best paintings of Netherlands. At the time of painting, Potter was only 22 years old.
‘Orpheus Charming the Beasts’ painted in 1650, is another of his major works. Critics have described this painting as his ‘excursion into the poetic world’. It shows Orpheus playing his lute surrounded by a horde of mesmerized animals.
‘Figures with Horses by a Stable’ (1647), ‘Two Horses in a Meadow near a Gate’ (1649), ‘Two Pigs in a Sty’ (1649), ‘Wolf-Hound’ (1650–1652), ‘Cattle in a Meadow’ (1652), and ‘A Spaniel’ (1653) are a few other major works by Paulus Potter. Though smaller in size, these paintings have also been appreciated by art lovers of all ages.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1650, Potter married Adriana, the daughter of Hague architect Balkeneynde. At the time of their marriage, he was around 25 years old. He did not live long after the marriage.
Towards the end of his life, Paulus Potter developed tuberculosis. He died from the disease on January 17, 1654, at the age of 28 in the city of Amsterdam. In this short span, he produced more than 100 known pieces of work.