The Bull

Rembrandt van Rijn etched this powerful animal study around 1650, depicting a bull standing broadside in profile. The creature's solid mass and calm presence fill the composition, while Rembrandt's varied line techniques suggest the texture of hide and muscle. His direct observation captures the animal's weight and character without sentimentality.

The print demonstrates Rembrandt's interest in subjects beyond human portraiture, though even his animal studies reveal the same psychological insight. His technical mastery of etching creates rich tonal effects through line alone. Now at the Louvre Museum in Paris, this print shows his range as one of history's greatest printmakers.