Four goats; at the back a nanny goat lies on the ground, in the middle a billy goat stands, in the front two kids lie on the ground, a fence and tree beyond 1641 - 1678

Karel Dujardin created this print titled ‘Four Goats’ sometime in the mid-17th century. During this period, the Dutch Golden Age saw artists frequently depicting scenes of everyday life, reflecting the growing merchant class and their connection to the land. Dujardin, however, brings a unique perspective. While seemingly a simple pastoral scene, the composition invites us to consider the social dynamics at play. The goats, arranged almost as a family portrait, prompt questions about hierarchy and care. The nanny lies protectively, while the billy goat stands guard. Are these goats simply farm animals, or do they represent something more? Dujardin spent time in Italy, and this work reflects the influence of Italian landscape painting on Dutch art. It reflects the cultural exchanges and aspirations of artists during a time of exploration and shifting identities, inviting us to find beauty and meaning in the quiet moments of the natural world.