The calf

Animal art and landscape are the two essential elements of Anunciação's artistic imagery, through which he introduced his "quiet revolution". The landscape is limited to a scenographic background, observed "in nature" but executed in the studio. Anunciação developed in this area, above all after his sole brief stay in Paris already towards the end of a lauded career (1867). There he met the great French animal artists like R. Bonheur and specially Troyon. His positive influence transpires in this painting in which the light acquires a constructive significance. In the opening of the small clearing to the right, the view broadens and the painting achieves a Naturalist aspect. This is one of the first Portuguese manifestations of the Barbizon style, which would only be adopted with greater awareness and a modern approach by the following generation.