Manshoofd, geit en uil 1856

In this undated sketch, Jan Evert (II) Morel, working in the Netherlands, presents us with an intimate look at a man, a goat, and an owl, rendered with delicate strokes. Morel lived during a time of significant social change, including evolving ideas about human and animal relationships. The sketched figures, seemingly unrelated, invite us to consider their symbolic meanings. The stoic man in profile, the goat with its fierce gaze, and the wise owl—each may represent different facets of human nature or societal roles. Consider how the artist, positioned within a society grappling with modernity, uses these figures to explore themes of intellect, instinct, and perhaps even the wildness within civilization. This small sketch opens a door to larger questions about how we perceive ourselves in relation to the natural world. It makes us wonder about the unspoken narratives that connect us all.