Liggende jonge geit met twee duiven en twee muizen 1864 - 1866

F. Lautenberger created this etching depicting a young goat with other small animals. The domestic interior situates us within a very specific, historical setting. We can consider the changing roles of animals in society. How have animals been perceived and treated in different cultures and time periods? How do societal views on animals intersect with issues of power, ethics, and environmentalism? The intimate scene evokes a sense of vulnerability. The goat’s dependence is palpable, raising questions about the ethics of care and the power dynamics inherent in human relationships with animals. The gathering of creatures, some traditionally seen as predator and prey, complicates our ideas of natural order. What does it mean to create a space of coexistence? How does this challenge the idea of a natural hierarchy? Looking closely, how does this humble image resonate with our own understanding of co-dependence? How do we make a home for ourselves with one another?