Author Description

Paulus Potter can be regarded as one of the most famous Dutch animal painters. For the first time in his work, animals were the protagonists; as a rule, human beings played only a subordinate role. Potter's works were sought-after during his lifetime and fetched high prices, especially in the 18th century. According to the first catalogue in 1783, Kassel Picture Gallery owned no fewer than ten paintings by the artist, who died young. No other collection had more of his works. However, many of them were lost during the Napoleonic occupation. The successful re-acquisition of Paulus Potter's "Watermill" offers an opportunity to examine the Kassel gallery's eventful history and shed light on Potter's significance as an animal painter. Paulus Potter as an animal painter Re-acquisition of an important painting by Potter History of the Kassel collection