Gezelschap passeert schaap en geiten op een bergpad, vermoedelijk in de Auvergne 1902

This vintage photograph by Delizy captures a group traversing a mountain path, their journey intertwined with sheep and goats. The animals present are not mere pastoral decoration; they are potent symbols with roots stretching back to antiquity. Consider the sheep, an age-old emblem of innocence and sacrifice, echoing through Christian iconography as a symbol of the flock of the faithful. Juxtapose this with the goat, often associated with virility, but also with darker, Dionysian energies, a duality present in folklore across cultures. The composition reminds me of ancient processions, yet here, the figures appear less ritualistic, more grounded in the everyday. These animals, imbued with layers of cultural meaning, stir in us a sense of continuity—a powerful, subconscious link to the past. This image engages us on a profound, emotional level, tapping into our collective memory. The path, the animals, the journey—all resonate with archetypal themes of life, faith, and transformation.