Twee lammeren 1739 - 1804

Johann Andreas Benjamin Nothnagel etched these two lambs sometime in the 18th century. In Christian iconography, the lamb embodies innocence, purity, and sacrifice, often symbolizing Christ himself. It’s a motif deeply rooted in religious narratives, harking back to the sacrificial lambs of the Old Testament. But this symbol transcends its religious origins. The lamb, in its vulnerability, evokes a primal sense of empathy. Consider the ancient Roman depictions of pastoral life, where sheep represented peace and simplicity. This arcadian vision persists through art history, re-emerging in 18th-century Romanticism, idealized and often laden with nostalgia. The lamb’s symbolic journey is not linear, but cyclical. It returns, transformed, carrying layers of cultural memory. As you gaze upon these etched lambs, consider the many lives this symbol has lived, and how it continues to resonate within our collective consciousness, stirring emotions of tenderness and vulnerability.