Dutch Bull Painting: Surprisingly Large Testicles Revealed

“`html

The hague, Netherlands, February 29, 2024 – A centuries-old masterpiece at the Mauritshuis museum harbors a surprising secret: the bull in Paulus Potter’s iconic painting, “The Bull,” originally sported substantially larger testicles, which where later diminished by the artist himself, likely to align with 17th-century standards of decency.

A modest Adjustment to Meet 17th-Century Sensibilities

Conservators discovered the anatomical alteration during an 18-month restoration project.

What prompted the change to the bull’s anatomy? While Potter may have initially intended to depict a younger bull, the prevailing theory suggests the artist adjusted the size to conform to the social norms of 1647, where such anatomical detail was considered inappropriate for public display.

Computer-generated image delineating the outline of the bull and how it changed between an early version of the work and the final painting. Photograph: René Gerritsen/Mauritshuis

“We found that the bull originally had much larger testicles,” explained Schilder. “Potter painted them, and then he painted over them and made them smaller. It’s a very clear change.” The revelation was made possible by advanced imaging techniques used during the restoration, including X-ray and infrared reflectography.

The bull’s pendulous testicles were toned down for the finished painting. Photograph: Mauritshuis

A Tumultuous History for a Dutch Masterpiece

The research surrounding “The Bull” is part of a larger effort to learn more about Potter