Peek at Potter: Technical Examination of Potter’s The Bull (De Stier)

Imagine walking into the Mauritshuis and seeing a stall with a cow, a bull, sheep…and paintings restorers. For the last 1.5 years, conservators Abbie and Jolijn have been treating the museum’s largest 17^th-century painting in front of the public. In this presentation, they will share stories and answer questions about the Bull’s…

–       Creation: Why and how did Potter make so many changes as he developed his composition of the “ideal” bull?

–       Turbulent history: Why did a “French Branch” suddenly appeare in the tree after the painting was looted by French troops and taken to Paris?

–       Visual and chemical changes: Why isn’t the sky blue anymore, and why do the clouds look so different now?

–       Restoration treatment: What steps did we follow, and what is it like to work in front of the public?

The restoration treatment will be finished in December, so now is your chance to hear the story “straight from the cow’s mouth”!

For more information about the project:

https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/what-s-on/exhibitions/a-peek-at-potter