Pastoral III 

Carl M. Schultheiss created this intaglio print, titled Pastoral III. The image depicts a woman seated on a rock, comforting a child, surrounded by sheep. This scene conjures echoes of pastoral idylls, a recurring theme throughout art history, symbolizing simplicity, peace, and a connection to nature. The tender embrace between mother and child is particularly evocative. This motif of maternal care appears across epochs, from ancient Egyptian depictions of Isis and Horus to countless Renaissance Madonnas. Consider the La Pieta, where the Virgin Mary cradles the body of Christ. Schultheiss distills this archetype to its essence, tapping into our collective memory of maternal love. This embrace offers solace. These images, like Schultheiss's print, resonate so deeply because they speak to primal human needs for comfort, security, and belonging. The cyclical nature of these symbols underscores their enduring relevance, reminding us that while styles and settings may change, fundamental human emotions remain constant.