Ezel, schapen en een geit 1655 - 1738

This engraving depicts a donkey, sheep, and a goat against a pastoral backdrop. The grouping of animals has long been a symbol of rural life, and each animal carries its own weight of historical association. Take, for instance, the figure of the donkey. Often seen as a beast of burden, it also appears in religious contexts, think of Christ's entry into Jerusalem. Here, the donkey stands laden, perhaps a symbol of patience and humility. The sheep, huddled together, evoke ideas of innocence, of the flock, of sacrifice—echoing images from the Bible and ancient pastoral poetry. Even the goat, with its caprine associations, brings to mind Pan, the pagan god of the wild, and the duality of nature. Note how these motifs evolve and resurface through history, reminding us that symbols carry cultural memory. They engage us on a subconscious level, stirring emotions and recalling ancestral echoes. It's a powerful force that binds us to the past in an ever-changing present.