Een herder met zijn schapen op de heide bij opkomend onweer c. 1860 - 1900

This evocative image by Johannes Arnoldus Boland depicts a shepherd and his flock amidst an approaching storm. A lone tree stands sentinel over the scene, mirroring the shepherd's solitary watch, while the gathering clouds embody a sense of foreboding. The figure of the shepherd is an ancient motif, found in the art of many cultures. From the Good Shepherd in early Christian art, safeguarding his flock, to the bucolic scenes of classical antiquity where shepherds represent a harmonious existence with nature, the shepherd embodies both protection and vulnerability. Here, the looming storm transforms this pastoral idyll into a scene fraught with tension. The shepherd's vigilance becomes a poignant symbol of our eternal struggle against the unpredictable forces of nature and our subconscious fears. The painting engages us with the power of nature, and the primal recognition of the vulnerability of man. Like a recurring dream, this image connects us to deep-seated anxieties and our enduring quest for safety in a precarious world.