Dutch Bull, Black and White Cattle Chromolithograph by Olivier de Penne, 1863

This is an original antique chromolithograph, printed in color from several lithographic stones, from Victor Borie's Animaux de la Ferme, Espèce Bovine, published in Paris about 1863. The plate is lettered "RACE HOLLANDAISE, TAUREAU." (Dutch breed, bull). The bull stands in profile facing the viewer's left with his head turned toward the viewer, a powerful black and white pied animal with a heavy crest, a broad dark head with a pale poll, and short horns curving out to the sides. White patches cover the shoulder, belly and parts of the legs, and his tail falls to a long switch. He stands on a warm ocher ground with a soft gray band behind.

Above the image, the plate is headed Animaux de la Ferme, Espèce Bovine (Farm Animals, Cattle), with the imprint "Lib. Agricole de la Maison Rustique rue Jacob, 26, à Paris." at left (the agricultural bookshop of the Maison Rustique), and "par Victor Borie" (by Victor Borie) at right. Below the image, the artist's credit reads "Ol. de Penne pinx.t" and the printer's line reads "Imp. Zanote rue des Boulangers, 13, Paris" (printed by Zanote, rue des Boulangers, Paris). The abbreviation stands for pinxit, painted it. The artist is the French animal painter Charles Olivier de Penne (1831 to 1897).

The black and white cattle of Holland were known as heavy milkers and were exported widely; they are the ancestors of the Holstein Friesian. Borie's album sets out the cattle of France alongside British and other foreign breeds, each animal shown in profile on a plain ground so that build, coat and horns can be compared. It was issued by the Librairie Agricole de la Maison Rustique, the Paris publisher of agricultural books.

The clear profile and warm palette suit a kitchen, study or country house, alone or with other plates from the series.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.