Twee schapen en twee geiten 1809

Anthony Oberman etched "Two Sheep and Two Goats" in the early 19th century. The sheep, symbols of innocence and pastoral serenity, contrast sharply with the goats, creatures often associated with virility and untamed nature. The ram's horns, powerful and spiraling, have echoed through millennia, from ancient deities like Pan to more recent depictions of the Devil. In contrast, the sheep, with their soft wool and docile nature, have long been linked to Christian iconography, representing purity and sacrifice. Observe how Oberman captures this duality, embedding layers of cultural memory within a seemingly simple scene. It evokes a profound sense of the cyclical nature of symbols, reminding us how archetypes persist, evolving and adapting, in the vast theater of human imagination.