Eine Herde zieht durch Wasser unter einem Brückenbogen durch, gefolgt von einer Hirtin zu Pferde, einem Kinde zu Esel und dem Hirten zu Fuß 

Johann Heinrich Roos made this ink and wash drawing of a herd crossing water in the 17th century. The artwork’s appearance is deeply influenced by the fluidity of the ink medium. Roos skillfully uses washes to create depth and volume, capturing the textures of the animals’ hides and the ruggedness of the landscape. You can almost feel the weight of the figures on horseback, and the relative lightness of the livestock wading through the water. The drawing’s monochrome palette evokes a sense of antiquity, aligning it with classical pastoral scenes. However, the subject matter – the everyday labor of shepherding – also connects it to the realities of rural life. Roos's work challenges traditional distinctions between high art and craft, elevating the depiction of labor through skilled drawing and a keen understanding of materiality.