Portrait of a bison or European bison | cow by Laura Dijkslag

I came across this impressive bison in a wildlife park in Innsbruck, Austria. He remained dead still and looked straight at me, as if he knew I wanted to take a portrait photo of him. The light fell perfectly from the side, making his shaggy coat and powerful head stand out even better. This fine-art portrait has a dark, moody look that emphasises the power and mystique of this primal animal.

The wisent, or European bison, is the smaller relative of the American bison. They used to be found all over Europe, but now only live in a few nature reserves in Eastern Europe. In the Netherlands, they have been successfully released into the wild since 2016. These animals are not only impressive to see, but also essential for biodiversity.

This sturdy portrait fits perfectly in a rural or Scandinavian interior, where it combines beautifully with wood and other natural materials. In an industrial interior, it forms a powerful contrast against concrete or steel. In a modern and minimalist interior, this work also comes into its own as a real eye-catcher.

Printed on aluminium or brushed steel, the details of the fur stand out beautifully, while canvas or wood provide a warm, natural look. With its dark brown and black colours and ideal artwork for nature lovers and animal lovers who love powerful, timeless wall decoration.