Seated sheep 1750 - 1799

Curator: Ah, the "Seated Sheep." This sculpture, dating from between 1750 and 1799, resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's carved from wood and falls under the decorative arts umbrella. Editor: My first impression? It’s surprisingly lifelike, with a peculiar expression on its face. The carved wool almost seems touchable, although it’s definitely more ornamental than realistic in texture. Curator: The ornamental aspect is key. These kinds of pastoral figurines often appeared as decorations in wealthy households. They romanticized rural life. Sheep, of course, carry Christian symbolism—innocence, sacrifice—that resonated strongly in the 18th century. Editor: So it's a commentary on power? These rural motifs are interesting—how decorative art offers insights into social class structures. Curator: Precisely! But consider the craft involved here. Look at the modulation of light and shadow across the sculpted fleece, the sinuous lines. There is no sharp contrast and creates a calm rhythm throughout the shape. Editor: Calm until you reach the head! That open mouth gives it a somewhat bizarre and anthropomorphic expression. It makes it a little off-putting and gives some irony to the work's otherwise calming qualities. I see where you are going though and you do wonder if these pieces really brought awareness of class structure or acted to comfort the viewers. Curator: True, it does deviate from total calm with its unique face, an element of whimsy perhaps that invites deeper exploration. What can the symbolism of a sheep combined with decorative art tell us about human expression? Editor: Well, the artist or workshop undoubtedly reflected its world with great insight, challenging the norms of society and decoration itself. Perhaps the piece is much more about humor than originally anticipated? It also leaves one thinking about current social issues in addition to how craft informs our thinking in contemporary spaces. Curator: Precisely. Thank you for lending a perspective.