Heinrich von Zügel was a German painter and is considered one of the most important representatives of Impressionism in the German-speaking world. He became especially well known for his animal paintings, in which he depicted cows, sheep, and rural scenes with remarkable vitality and a strong sense of light. As a co-founder of the Munich Secession, he advocated for the renewal of art and influenced an entire generation of artists. His work combines masterful observation of nature with a loose, color-rich painting style that is characteristic of Impressionism.