Får og gæs på Saltholm (udkast til dekoration af punchebolle) 1893

Theodor Philipsen sketched "Sheep and Geese on Saltholm" as a draft for a punch bowl decoration. Here we see sheep and geese scattered across a field, evoking images of pastoral tranquility. The sheep, traditionally symbols of innocence and sacrifice, have roots stretching back to ancient Near Eastern religions and reappear in Christian art as emblems of Christ's flock. Similarly, geese, often associated with vigilance and domesticity, were sacred in ancient Rome, linked to Juno, the protector of the state. Consider how these symbols of domesticity and sacrifice echo through time, appearing in medieval tapestries, Renaissance paintings, and even modern advertisements. They resurface, loaded with new meanings, yet still tethered to the archaic emotions and cultural memories. Perhaps, it’s the subconscious pull of these symbols that allows them to engage us on such a profound level. Thus, Philipsen’s sketch becomes not just a pastoral scene but a layered narrative, continuously evolving and shaped by centuries of collective experience.