Reproductie van Retour des champs door Jean-François Millet before 1878

This reproduction of Jean-François Millet’s "Retour des Champs" captures a shepherdess guiding her flock, the staff acting as her tool and symbol of authority over the animals. The shepherd's staff is an ancient motif, think of Moses who carries a staff in the desert, leading his people to salvation. But even before, in ancient Greece, the god Hermes was often depicted with a caduceus, a staff symbolizing his role as a guide. The staff reappears in Christian art, carried by allegorical figures representing faith or divine guidance, and in pastoral scenes symbolizing the harmony between humans and nature. Over time, the staff transforms from a symbol of divine power to a symbol of rustic simplicity, yet its core meaning remains constant. In this image, the staff is a connection to ancient archetypes, reminding us of our deep-rooted ties to nature. The shepherdess, with staff in hand, evokes a sense of timeless duty. The symbol invites us to consider our own roles as guides, and the enduring power of symbols in shaping our collective consciousness.