A Goat and a Kid
- Artist: Adriaen van de Velde
- Date: 1655-72
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Goat and a Kid" by Adriaen van de Velde. Painted in the Dutch Golden Age, around 1660 to 1672, we see here an exquisite example of Van de Velde's attention to detail. The animals seem almost tangible, thanks to his exceptional skill in capturing texture.
Notice how the kid turns its head quickly, its eye and coat soft, its pose dainty and alive. Meanwhile, the goat stands steady but alert, with two long strands of dark hair lying over its pale, shaggy coat. Even the tiny beard sprouting from beneath its chin is intricately rendered.
It's interesting to note that Van de Velde frequently reused drawings of animals made from life, and these two appear in other works by him. Some art historians even speculate that the dark, brooding landscape background was painted by another artist, possibly Frederick de Moucheron. However, it's clear that this was done after the animals, as an unpainted outline around them is visible.
The medium used here is oil on canvas, which allows for such rich and vibrant colors to come alive. Overall, "A Goat and a Kid" showcases Van de Velde's exceptional skill in capturing the subtleties of nature with incredible detail and depth.
See it in person
A Goat and a Kid hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
