Zwei Hirten und zwei Schafe 

Giovanni Battista Sassi created this drawing of two shepherds and two sheep with pen and brown ink. The figure of the shepherd, a guardian and guide, has deep roots in our collective consciousness. We can see him in ancient Near Eastern art, a symbol of benevolent rule. In Christianity, Christ himself is the Good Shepherd, tending to his flock. Here, the shepherd's gestures evoke protection, yet also suggest a potential threat. This tension between care and control is mirrored in countless images throughout history. Consider the powerful, ambiguous symbolism of animal herding, which can shift from idyllic pastoral scenes to darker portrayals of dominance. The shepherd’s figure taps into primal emotions, embodying both the nurturing and controlling aspects of authority, engaging our subconscious anxieties and desires related to safety, guidance, and autonomy. This archetype resonates through time, transforming but never disappearing.