Cow – Original Reduction Linocut Print (2024) Linocut by Jennie Smallenbroek

Bring the peaceful charm of the countryside into your home with this original hand-pulled reduction linocut print of a cow surrounded by elegant floral motifs. The image measures 30 × 30 cm (11.8 × 11.8 inches) and is printed on premium 35 × 35 cm (13.8 × 13.8 inches) Fabriano 300 gsm paper. This artwork is part of a limited edition of only 24 prints, each individually hand-printed with great care and attention.
Built up from 10 carefully printed layers of Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink, the print has rich colours, beautiful depth, and the distinctive texture that makes reduction linocuts so highly valued.

The Story Behind the Cow
The inspiration for this print came from a memorable encounter during one of my exhibitions. A six-year-old boy wandered through the gallery and asked, with genuine surprise, why I hadn't painted any cows. His father was a farmer, and to him, an exhibition simply wasn't complete without one.
His innocent question stayed with me. My studio is located in the Dutch countryside, where I spend my days surrounded by the sounds of sheep, horses, and goats. Animals bring me happiness and are a constant source of inspiration in my work. Creating this cow felt like the perfect response to that little boy's question—and of course, he received the very first print as a gift.

A Handcrafted Limited Edition
This artwork is printed in a limited edition of only 24 copies. Every print is hand-pulled, one colour at a time, using Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink. Because each layer is applied manually, slight variations in colour, ink distribution, and texture occur naturally, giving every impression its own unique character.

The Reduction Linocut Process
This print is created using the traditional reduction linocut technique. After each colour has been printed, more of the linoleum block is carved away before the next layer is added. Once a section has been removed, it can never be replaced, making every stage permanent. The process demands patience, precision, and careful planning.
This edition consists of 10 carving and printing stages. On YouTube, you can watch the fascinating moment when I carefully lift the paper from the block after each layer, revealing the image step by step.

About the Paper
While creating this edition, I experimented with several types of printmaking paper to compare their qualities.
Prints 1–7: Japanese rice paper
Prints 8–11: Fabriano HP 180 gsm
Prints 12–24: Fabriano HP 300 gsm
This print is supplied on Fabriano HP 300 gsm paper, the paper that provided the richest colours and finest detail.

Specifications
Image size: 30 × 30 cm (11.8 × 11.8 inches)
Paper size: 35 × 35 cm (13.8 × 13.8 inches) – Fabriano HP 300 gsm
Framed size: 40 × 40 cm (15.7 × 15.7 inches) with white passe-partout and beech wood frame
Printing technique: 10-layer reduction linocut
Edition: Limited to only 24 prints
Printed with: Caligo Safe Wash oil-based ink
Hand-printed

Ready to hang
Whether you're a lover of animals, rural life, or traditional printmaking, this original cow linocut makes a beautiful addition to your home. It also pairs perfectly with the other animal prints in my collection to create an elegant gallery wall celebrating the beauty of the countryside.

Materials used:

Oil

Details:

• Linocut on Paper
• From a limited edition of 24
• Size: 40.01 x 40.01 x 5.08cm (framed) / 29.97 x 29.97cm (actual image size)
• Framed and ready to hang
• Signed and numbered certificate of authenticity
• Style: Illustrative
• Subject: Animals and birds