Brother Philippe's Geese 1731 - 1741

Nicolas Lancret painted "Brother Philippe's Geese" around the 1700s with oil on canvas. The central motif here is that of the stumbling, surprised man, caught between worldly pleasures and religious guidance. This figure's flailing gesture echoes that of figures in classical scenes of revelry, such as those found in Bacchic festivals, where loss of control and intoxication are celebrated. Yet, in contrast, we see how the monk pulls him towards a different path. The monk's grip and guiding presence may remind us of images of repentance and redemption. Think of the prodigal son being embraced. This tension speaks to the human psyche's constant negotiation between impulse and restraint, a theme that resurfaces across epochs. Lancret masterfully engages us in this timeless drama, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human desires and the perennial quest for balance.