Studieblad met liggende schapen te Exloo c. 1904 - 1912

Ferdinand Oldewelt created this sketch of resting sheep in Exloo, likely at the turn of the 20th century. During this period, artists increasingly ventured into rural landscapes seeking authenticity and a respite from industrializing urban life. Oldewelt, like many of his contemporaries, found in the simplicity of pastoral scenes a connection to what they perceived as a more genuine way of life. Consider, though, what is not depicted. The labor and economic realities of rural communities are notably absent. Instead, we see a romanticized view centered on the animals. The sheep themselves, rendered with soft, gentle lines, evoke a sense of tranquility. They are not merely livestock but subjects worthy of artistic contemplation. In their stillness, do you find a commentary on the pace of modern life, or perhaps an idealized vision of nature untouched by human complexity? This image invites us to reflect on how we project our desires onto the natural world.