Wilhelm Busch. (1832 Wiedensahl - 1908 Mechtshausen) Farmer with cow Painted around 1880-1885, this characteristic, small-format cabinet painting by Busch, whose painterly oeuvre features cows and farmers as an important theme, is painted in a tonal colouring and fast, broad style. In many of his paintings, he depicted rural, village life in Lüthorst and his birthplace Wiedensahl and its surroundings, where he lived for the most part from 1872 onwards. The work also reflects the direct influence of Dutch-Flemish painters of the 17th century on the artist, who was primarily known as a humorous draughtsman and poet. Busch first studied at the Academy of Art in Düsseldorf from 1851 to 1853 and then at the Academy in Antwerp, where he was enthusiastic about seeing the Old Masters in the original. His time in Antwerp and his knowledge of Dutch-Flemish painting of the 17th century, which had a profound influence on him, formed the basis for Busch's work as a painter. Oil/cardboard. L. and monogr. 9 cm x 20 cm. Frame. Wvz. Gmelin 612. Provenance: Galerie J. H. Bauer Hanover; private collection Münster. Oil on cardboard. Monogrammed. Mentioned in the catalogue raisonné, no. 612.