Liggend en staand schaap 1671

This etching, "Liggend en staand schaap," was created by Johann Heinrich Roos. Notice how Roos uses tightly packed lines to render the wool of the sheep, creating a dense texture that contrasts with the sparser lines used for the sky and foliage. The composition is structured around the juxtaposition of the two sheep: one standing, alert, and the other lying down, relaxed. This opposition might suggest a duality of alertness and rest, presence and absence. The landscape, though minimal, plays a crucial role. The tree and rocky formations in the background act as a frame, pushing the sheep forward and emphasizing their presence. The stark contrast between the dark, detailed foreground and the lighter, less defined background creates depth, drawing our eye into the scene. Roos's work captures a moment of pastoral life, inviting us to reflect on the relationships between animals and their environment, as well as the contrasting states of being within a single scene.