Landschap met een man bij een waterbak voor het vee en een vrouw zittend op een ezel 1762 - 1829

Jean Louis Demarne etched this landscape with figures, livestock and a water trough sometime in the late 18th century. The presence of livestock drinking from a trough is a potent symbol of rural sustenance. In earlier times, the provision of water was often linked with divine blessing and communal well-being. Observe how this scene echoes in ancient pastoral traditions: the image of animals sustained by water appears in biblical allegories and classical myths. Consider Europa riding the bull, or the many images of the Good Shepherd tending to his flock. In those depictions, water is not just a necessity; it's a symbol of life's nurturing force. Demarne's print invites us to reflect on the enduring relationship between humans, nature, and the rituals that sustain us. This scene is not just a snapshot of rural life but an echo of archetypal themes that resonate across time and cultures.