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Jacob Jordaens

The Master Pulls the Cow Out of the Ditch by its Tail

1652
Etching on cream laid paper
22.5 × 31.4 cm (8.9 × 12.4 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

The title and subject of this etching come from a proverb in the Dutch poet and humorist Jacob Cats’s 1632 Mirror of Old and New Times . The proverb explains that it is necessary for a person to take responsibility for his or her own affairs. Jacob Jordaens depicted the proverb literally, showing a cow that has fallen into a ditch and must be pulled out by its master. The crowd of onlookers does not help the man, for it is his duty to take care of his animal. The theme of this etching exemplifies the moralizing nature of many Dutch works of the period, and the composition recalls a tapestry by Jordaens in his Proverbs cycle.

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More by Jacob Jordaens

The Temptation of the MagdaleneThe Temptation of the MagdaleneThe Betrayal of ChristThe Betrayal of ChristThe Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Young Baptist and His ParentsThe Holy Family with Saint Anne and the Young Baptist and HiThe Holy Family with ShepherdsThe Holy Family with ShepherdsSaint Paul at LystraSaint Paul at LystraNude Old Man Seated, Leaning on His Forearm, Facing LeftNude Old Man Seated, Leaning on His Forearm, Facing LeftThe Conversion of Saul with Horseman and BannerThe Conversion of Saul with Horseman and BannerThe Banquet of Anthony and CleopatraThe Banquet of Anthony and Cleopatra

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