Liggend bokje bij een hek 1829

In 1829, Johannes Mock created this etching of a resting goat near a fence. The goat, a creature laden with symbolism, immediately captures our attention. Throughout history, it appears as a symbol of vitality and untamed nature, yet it also carries darker connotations, often associated with pagan rituals and, later, with the devil himself. Think of the ancient Greek satyrs, half-man, half-goat, embodying the wild, irrational forces of nature. This image, charged with primal energy, echoes in later depictions of Pan, the god of the wild, whose goat-like features represent a connection to the earth. But observe how this symbol evolves: in Christian iconography, the goat becomes a symbol of the damned, a stark contrast to its earlier, more ambiguous roles. The enduring power of the goat symbol lies in its ability to tap into our subconscious, evoking both admiration and fear. In this seemingly simple etching, Mock engages with a symbol that has resonated through centuries, inviting us to confront the complex interplay of instinct and intellect within ourselves.