Paulus Potter (1625 - January 17, 1654) was a Dutch painter specializing in animals and landscapes.

He was born in Enkhuizen, and studied painting with his father Pieter Potter . He lived for a few years in The Hague where he met his wife and was introduced in the Dutch elite. After disagreements with fellow painters, he left for Amsterdam. He died in 1654, 28 years old, having produced about a hundred paintings.

See also Dutch Golden Age.