Landschap met reiziger bij herberg 1584 - 1603

This small etching, made by Jacob Savery I around 1600, captures a scene brimming with life: a traveler near an inn. But it is the figure of the shepherd that draws my eye—a timeless symbol seen across epochs. The shepherd with his flock echoes images from ancient pastoral scenes. He’s not just a caretaker; he's a guardian, a guide. Think of the Good Shepherd from early Christian art, tending to his followers. In Savery's image, the shepherd, armed with a rifle, hints to the ever-present dangers of the world and the ever-present need for protection. This symbol resonates deeply, perhaps because it touches on our collective desire for safety and guidance. Across time, in different forms, this figure reappears, adapting to new contexts, yet always carrying the weight of its original meaning. This is the eternal return of the image, its power undiminished by time.