Buitenleven c. 1843 - 1920

This print, titled Buitenleven, by A. Müller, presents a series of pastoral scenes reflecting everyday rural life. Consider the recurring presence of domestic animals, particularly cows and sheep, symbols deeply rooted in Western culture. These animals evoke notions of pastoral harmony and agrarian simplicity harking back to classical idylls. Yet, their symbolism is complex. The cow, for example, while a sign of nourishment and maternal care, is also linked to ancient fertility cults, like those of Isis and Hathor, and the minotaur. Notice how the image of shepherds tending their flocks is echoed in religious art representing spiritual guidance. Recall the figure of Christ as the Good Shepherd. This iconography has ancient roots, pre-dating Christianity, evoking images of deities protecting and nurturing their communities. The persistence of such archetypes suggests a powerful, subconscious connection to our ancestral past. This scene evokes not just a snapshot of rural life, but a profound link to the very roots of human culture and civilization.