Liggend schaap 1798 - 1837

Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar created this small drawing, Liggend schaap, using pen in the early 19th century. This was a period marked by significant social and economic shifts in the Netherlands, including debates about land use and agricultural practices. Bagelaar’s work is interesting when we think about the representation of animals in art, and how they often symbolize innocence or pastoral simplicity. But what does it mean to focus so intently on a sheep, at a time of immense societal change? Is it a longing for a simpler, perhaps idealized past? Or, is there a deeper commentary on the relationship between humans and nature, reflecting the increasing pressures on rural life due to urbanization and industrialization? Consider how Bagelaar’s seemingly simple drawing might be hinting at the complex negotiations between tradition and modernity. It's not just a picture of a sheep; it's a quiet reflection on the changing world.