Liggende geit c. 1767 - 1782

This is ‘Liggende geit,’ a 104 by 158 mm work made by Jabes Heenck, an artist active in the late 18th century. Heenck, who lived during the Dutch Golden Age, here presents a seemingly simple image of a resting goat. At the time, Dutch art frequently depicted scenes of everyday life and the natural world, often reflecting the nation's growing prosperity and connection to the land. Yet, the artist's choice to focus on a common animal invites us to consider broader questions around the relationship between humans and nature. Consider the goat's passive posture. Does it suggest a sense of harmony between the animal and its surroundings, or perhaps point to the ways in which animals are made subservient to human needs? The image carries a quiet emotional charge, inviting us to reflect on our treatment of animals and the natural world.