Drie kinderen spelend met een bok c. 18900

Eugène Lacomblé created this terracotta sculpture, "Three Children Playing with a Goat," featuring soft, rounded forms that convey a sense of gentle interaction. The composition, with the children clambering over the goat, suggests a dynamic but stable pyramid. The monochromatic earthiness emphasizes the material's inherent qualities: its texture and plasticity. Lacomblé uses the medium to explore themes of childhood innocence and classical pastoral imagery. This approach can be seen through the lens of semiotics, where the goat might symbolize nature. However, the sculpture destabilizes the traditional symbolism through its informal, playful arrangement. The goat is not a noble beast but a plaything, reflecting a shift towards more intimate, domestic scenes. This choice invites us to reconsider established meanings and values, engaging in a discourse about shifting social attitudes towards nature and childhood.