Ten sheep 

Theodor Roos made this drawing, titled "Ten Sheep," using pen and brown ink on paper. Roos was one of a number of 17th-century artists who turned to the natural world for their subject matter. In the context of the social and economic history of the Dutch Golden Age, the prominence of livestock here reflects the centrality of agriculture to the Dutch economy. Animal portraiture gained popularity as the merchant class grew and artists responded to a demand for new genres. These drawings met the needs of the aspiring middle classes, who wanted their values and status confirmed. While some dismissed animal paintings as lacking serious intellectual content, these works do reflect a specific cultural moment, and they offer insights into the relationship between humans and animals in the early modern period. By researching the economic conditions of the time, as well as consulting period writings on animal husbandry, we can better understand the place of art in everyday life.