En fårehyrde med sin flok 1618 - 1676

Jean Baptiste Bonnecroy created this pastoral scene with etching. The shepherd, a timeless figure, sits amidst his flock, evoking images of Arcadia and the Golden Age. The shepherd is not merely a figure but a symbol, echoing through centuries, back to ancient Greek and Roman ideals of simple, virtuous life. Consider how this motif recurs in Christian art, where the shepherd embodies Christ, the caring protector of his flock. Think of the "Good Shepherd" in early Christian catacombs, a direct appropriation of pagan imagery transformed by new cultural meanings. Here, the shepherd suggests not only bucolic tranquility but also deeper themes of guidance and care. This image, like those ancient forms, taps into a collective memory, a longing for simpler times, resonating on a subconscious level with our own desires for peace and security. It’s a return, a cyclical motif that finds new expression.