What makes The Bull so special is the fact that Potter painted something as ordinary as a bull on such a grand scale – which had never been done before. And despite this large size, he paid great attention to the smallest details, such as the lark in the sky, the sunshine on the meadow, the flies on the bull’s back and the cow’s whiskers. This made the piece the epitome of Dutch naturalistic painting.
After a year and a half of restoration, the largest painting in the Mauritshuis collection, Paulus Potter’s The Bull (1647), was ready for its unveiling. Since March 2024, conservators Abbie Vandivere and Jolijn Schilder have been intensively engaged in scientific research and treatment, from varnish removal to retouching damage. This led to exciting discoveries, but also interesting questions and challenging dilemmas. The goal of the restoration was to return as closely as possible to Potter’s original intention. This proved to be a true journey through time, from alterations made by Potter himself to centuries-old overpainting, damage, and historical additions made by conservators. For the first time in centuries, Potter’s original sky is visible again.
When asked about the greatest challenges, restorers Abbie and Jolijn, cited the following: technically removing later overpainting, as some of this overpainting was already two centuries old and difficult to separate from Potter’s paint. This required extreme care. Ethical dilemmas frequently arose: how far could retouching (restoring or retouching damaged or lost areas of the painting) be carried out without affecting Potter’s work? Furthermore, Potter used pigments in the paint that have faded after 380 years, gradually revealing the underlying layers. During the restoration, each area was assessed to determine whether this “disrupted” the overall image. In the former case, (reversible) “toning” (lightly repainting) was the solution, while in the latter case, the image was left as it is.
Every Friday afternoon at 14:00, the restorers will meet at the Golden Room in the museum for an exclusive Q&A session. Feel free to ask them anything about the art restoration process: Are they ever nervous? What is the most fun thing to do during restoration? And how does it actually work? For more information:
https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/our-collection/artworks/136-the-bull
Potter’s bull will remain on display in the publicly accessible restoration studio for another month, and will be back on display in its usual spot in the “Potter Hall” starting at the end of February 2026.
Last year marked the 400th anniversary of Paulus Potter’s birth. January 17, 2026, marks the 372nd anniversary of his death.
Images: Sherika Rooplal-Clappers and Kunstmuseum
Sherika Rooplal-Clappers is a contributing writer for The Hague Online, covering culture, lifestyle, and local events. With a passion for storytelling and international perspectives, she highlights the people, places, and experiences that make The Hague a dynamic city.
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