[title not known] 1780

Editor: This delicate etching from the British School, featuring sheep and a goat, has such a peaceful feel. What cultural associations might these animals have carried at the time this was made? Curator: Well, sheep have long been symbols of innocence and pastoral simplicity in Western art, often linked to Christian themes of sacrifice and devotion. The goat, with its prominent horns, has a more complex history, sometimes representing virility, other times associated with darker, pagan rituals. Does this contrast strike you as intentional? Editor: It does now that you mention it! I hadn't considered the goat's symbolism beyond its literal representation. Curator: Consider also how the artist positions them – the sheep upright, alert, while the goat reclines. This could suggest a commentary on vigilance versus indulgence, themes prevalent throughout history. Editor: Fascinating! I'll definitely look at animal imagery differently from now on.