Cow beside a Ditch

A pied cow is standing with its front legs in a ditch and is reflected in the water. Thick bushes and a fence enclose the small meadow. In the background another cow, with a red coat, is being milked. Willem Maris - the youngest of the artist brothers, Maris - has masterfully captured the atmosphere of a sunny day using loose brushstrokes. The cow is the central point in this landscape; the point where colour and light are most concentrated. Willem Maris made a famous statement about his work: 'I do not paint cows, but light'. This painting is a good illustration of this.