Herderin met mand op het hoofd, een koe, twee geiten en twee schapen in het water 1662

This etching, made by Romeyn de Hooghe, presents a pastoral scene with a shepherdess amidst her animals in the water. The woman, with a basket of fruits atop her head, appears in stark contrast with the natural setting. This evokes a sense of classical Arcadia—an idealized vision of rural life. The motif of a woman bearing offerings on her head traces back to ancient fertility rituals. We see echoes of it in Roman depictions of harvest goddesses. Over time, this symbol evolved, often representing abundance and the nurturing aspects of nature. Yet, within the context of the Dutch Golden Age, it also gains a layer of mercantile symbolism, reflecting the prosperity and trade of the time. It's a powerful image—the woman's balanced posture, the animals' calm demeanor, and the idyllic landscape together engage viewers, stirring in them a collective memory of simpler, harmonious existence. This cycle of symbolic adaptation speaks to the enduring human quest for understanding our place within the natural order.