Zittend mannelijk naakt met herdersstaf Possibly 1784

Jan Tersteeg created this drawing of a seated male nude holding a shepherd's staff. The staff is a potent symbol, deeply rooted in ancient traditions. We see it echoing through history, from the scepter of kings, a symbol of power and authority, to the humble crook of the shepherd, representing guidance and care. In ancient Greece, the staff was associated with Hermes, the messenger god, embodying travel, communication, and even trickery. Note the figure's contemplative pose; the staff becomes an extension of his thoughts, a physical manifestation of his inner reflections. The shepherd’s staff carries subconscious associations of guidance and protection, eliciting a sense of trust and authority that speaks to our primal need for leadership and direction. We are drawn to this figure not just by his physical form, but also by the silent promise of guidance that the staff implies. Observe how the staff in Tersteeg’s drawing, though simple, evokes a complex interplay of power, guidance, and introspection. The image is a reminder of how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying echoes of the past into the present.