Schaap 1860

This depiction of a sheep, rendered by Delphine Gabrielle Keller, presents us with more than just an animal study. The sheep, or lamb, has been laden with symbolism for millennia. In many cultures, it embodies innocence, purity, and sacrifice. Consider the "Agnus Dei"—the Lamb of God—a potent symbol in Christian art, representing Christ's sacrificial death. But even before Christianity, the lamb was a sacred offering in pagan rituals, a symbol of atonement and renewal. This motif transcends time and place, echoing through ancient Greek and Roman art, where sheep signified pastoral harmony and abundance. Note the gentle, almost melancholic expression of the sheep in Keller's print. It evokes a sense of vulnerability, perhaps tapping into our collective subconscious memory of sacrifice and redemption. This image serves as a reminder of how symbols persist, evolving in meaning yet retaining their power to stir deep emotional responses within us.