Sheep Lying Near Trunk of Tree c. 17th century

Curator: Welcome. Today, we're looking at Karel Dujardin's "Sheep Lying Near Trunk of Tree," which lives here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Ah, it's a study in textures, isn't it? The wool looks so thick, almost scratchy, contrasted with the smoothness of the paper. I can practically feel the warmth of the sun on that sheep’s back. Curator: Dujardin, a Dutch Golden Age painter, often incorporated pastoral scenes into his work. The sheep here isn't just an animal, it represents a specific class engaged in agriculture. Editor: I see it. It's more than just a sheep chilling. It’s a symbol of rural life, a little meditation on nature and our place in it, wouldn’t you say? It's lovely. Curator: Absolutely. And considering the context of the time, the image may evoke ideas of prosperity and simple virtues that were important to the Dutch Republic. Editor: Yes, perhaps! It makes you realize how much meaning can be packed into a seemingly simple scene. Curator: Indeed, and Dujardin has done it with such delicate skill. Editor: A sheep and a tree, but also so much more. That’s what I love about art.