Et gedekid 1850 - 1899

This etching by Johannes Wilhelm Zillen captures a goat standing near a rock formation. A humble scene, yet the goat, throughout history, has been laden with potent symbolism. In ancient Greece, the goat was linked to Dionysus, representing fertility and untamed nature. This symbolism evolved, particularly in the Middle Ages, when the goat became associated with the demonic, embodying darker aspects of human nature. Consider how the image of a goat resurfaces in Goya's Witches' Sabbath. The creature is a representation of the devil, presiding over a coven of witches, embodying the fears and superstitions of the time. The image of the goat evokes a primal response, tapping into our collective memory of nature, sexuality, and the subconscious. These resurfacing images demonstrate the enduring power of symbols, echoing through time, constantly shifting in meaning yet forever tethered to the emotional and cultural soil from which they first emerged.