Parabel van de slechte herder 1645 - 1740

"Parabel van de slechte herder," a 17th-century etching by Christoffel van (II) Sichem, depicts a shepherd fleeing a wolf attacking his flock. The image, a small woodcut, emphasizes the shepherd's abandonment of his duty, highlighting a biblical parable about the neglect of God's people. This work serves as a visual representation of the moral dilemma of choosing self-preservation over responsibility, leaving the sheep vulnerable to the predator. The scene is set in a rugged landscape, with the shepherd running away from the wolf, contrasting his cowardice with the helplessness of the sheep. This artwork, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, speaks to the enduring themes of faith and responsibility within a historical context.