Liggend schaap, schuin van achteren 1786 - 1839

Pieter Gerardus van Os made this drawing of a sheep with pen in gray inkwash. Van Os lived through a period of great social and political upheaval, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, events that shaped the cultural landscape of Europe. Although seemingly simple, this drawing reflects prevailing attitudes about nature and rural life. During the 18th and 19th centuries, there was a growing interest in agriculture and animal husbandry, fueled by developments in scientific knowledge and economic interests. Animals, like this sheep, were often seen as symbols of pastoral harmony and national identity. How might the way we view animals today differ from the way they were perceived in Van Os's time? While this drawing appears to be a straightforward depiction of a sheep, it invites us to reflect on the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the natural world.