Kudde schapen 1834 - 1911

Jozef Israëls created this drawing, "Kudde schapen," its dimensions 215 mm in height and 300 mm in width. Observe the gathering of sheep. Throughout history, the symbol of the flock has carried diverse meanings. Consider the Christian allegory of the shepherd and his flock, representing guidance, care, and the followers of God. We see this motif echoed in other artworks and religious texts across cultures. Yet, the image of a flock can also evoke the idea of collective behavior, where individuality is suppressed, a theme explored in social and political contexts. When we contemplate this duality, we begin to perceive how images can tap into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations. Israëls’ drawing, therefore, is not merely a depiction of animals; it becomes a conduit for exploring the complex relationship between the individual and the collective, resonating in our minds and inviting us to ponder the cyclical nature of symbols and their meanings through time.