Liggende får med to lam 1685

This etching of a reclining sheep with two lambs was made by Jan van der Meer the Younger. Note how the artist uses the motifs of sheep and lambs. Throughout time, these figures bear powerful symbolic weight. In early Christian iconography, the lamb symbolizes innocence, purity, and Christ himself, often depicted as the sacrificial lamb. Yet, prior to Christianity, the lamb, as well as the sheep, was a symbol of sacrifice and offering in ancient pagan rituals. Consider the emotional resonance of this imagery. On one hand, it evokes feelings of peace, simplicity, and pastoral tranquility. On the other, it carries echoes of sacrifice, vulnerability, and the cycle of life and death. This duality engages us on a subconscious level, touching on deeply ingrained cultural memories and universal human experiences. Observe, then, the non-linear progression of this symbol. It has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.