Koe, schaap en geit bij boom 1825

This monochrome artwork by Eugène Verboeckhoven features a cow, sheep, and goat gathered under a tree, rendered with delicate lines. The animals are not mere representations of farm life; they evoke a deeper symbolism. The cow, often a symbol of nourishment and fertility, stands watch, while the sheep, traditionally associated with innocence, rests peacefully. Consider the ‘pastoral’ motif—a recurring theme throughout art history from ancient Greek idylls to Renaissance landscapes. This motif, although seemingly simple, has served as a powerful means to evoke feelings of nostalgia, longing for simpler times, or even a romantic vision of nature. The tree, rooted yet reaching, echoes the ‘axis mundi,’ the world's axis, connecting earthly and spiritual realms. This visual language transcends epochs, resurfacing time and again, evolving yet echoing earlier forms, demonstrating the enduring power of symbols within our collective consciousness.