Hans Bol and the Blood Sport of Goose-Pulling

Hans Bol (1534-1593), a master of miniature landscapes and everyday scenes, painted the vibrant and often harsh world of the late 1500s.

Here he captures ganstrekken (“goose pulling”) a blood sport where riders raced by to rip the heads off suspended geese. It’s a vivid glimpse into the brutal pastimes of rural life.

In 1593, Bol himself was the subject of an engraved portrait by fellow artist Hendrick Goltzius (1558-1617). In it, the 58 year old artist is surrounded by allegorical elements that highlight his artistic achievements.