Geit en twee schapen 1754

Joseph Roos created this etching of a goat and two sheep in the 18th century, a period when the Dutch Republic was experiencing significant economic and social changes. Consider how Roos, positioned within a society that was beginning to grapple with notions of national identity, chose to depict pastoral life. The animals, rendered with a delicate touch, evoke a sense of calm and simplicity. Roos presents a serene, almost idealized version of rural existence. What does it mean to look at an image like this during a time when the traditional roles and values were being questioned? Does this etching simply reflect an aesthetic preference, or could it also represent a deeper longing for an uncomplicated past, a vision of the Dutch countryside untouched by the complexities of a changing world? What feelings does this artwork evoke in you?