Interieur van een boerderij Possibly 1847 - 1932

This engraving by William Unger depicts the interior of a farm, presenting a pastoral scene filled with symbolic resonance. Notice the goats. These animals, often associated with vitality and rustic simplicity, stretch back to ancient Greece, where goats were linked to Dionysus, embodying both fertility and wild abandon. The humble presence of the farm animals and the rustic setting, invite us to consider the enduring human connection to nature and the cyclical rhythms of life. Recall how the imagery of Arcadia, where shepherds tended their flocks in idyllic settings, served as a potent symbol of pastoral simplicity and harmony with nature. This motif continues to resurface, echoing themes of longing for an idealized, simpler past. The image thus engages viewers on a deeper, almost subconscious level, evoking a sense of nostalgia. The cyclical progression of symbols like the goat and the pastoral setting underscores how these images have resurfaced and taken on new meanings across different times.