Which Rembrandt painting depicts a dramatically lit slaughtered ox hanging in a butcher’s shop?

The Slaughtered Ox is the Rembrandt painting that depicts a dramatically lit carcass hanging in a butcher’s shop.

Rembrandt painted The Slaughtered Ox in 1655, during a period when he increasingly explored ordinary subjects, strong physical textures, and powerful contrasts of light and dark. The suspended carcass dominates the composition, while the surrounding dark interior makes its pale, fleshy surface especially striking.

The work is often discussed alongside Rembrandt’s portraits and biblical scenes because it demonstrates the same interest in material reality. The rough brushwork and emphatic lighting give the subject an intensity that goes beyond a simple market or kitchen scene.

The painting is also known as The Flayed Ox in some English-language references, which can cause confusion. The title most commonly used for the Louvre painting is The Slaughtered Ox. It should not be confused with later paintings of butchered animals by other artists.