Landschap met schapen 1832 - 1886

This is "Landschap met schapen" by Dirk Jurriaan Sluyter, made in the 19th century using etching. Notice the sheep scattered across the landscape, symbols of pastoral life and innocence, harking back to biblical allegories of the Good Shepherd. But observe how this imagery transcends religious contexts. Throughout art history, sheep evoke sentiments of peace and simplicity. Think of classical Roman idyllic scenes or even the gentle flocks depicted during the Renaissance. Yet here, the sheep seem almost melancholic, their woolly forms blending into a somewhat somber landscape. Consider how the collective memory of pastoral life—once a symbol of Arcadia—has evolved. The Romantics, for instance, used it to reflect on lost innocence and the encroachment of modernity. Could Sluyter be tapping into this evolving sentiment? Perhaps. The emotional weight of these symbols lies in their capacity to continuously reflect our changing relationship with nature and tradition.