Schaap in een weide 1874 - 1929

This drawing presents a sheep in a pasture, captured with charcoal by Willem van der Nat. The figure of the sheep, seemingly isolated, is rendered with gestural lines that evoke a sense of pastoral simplicity. Throughout history, the lamb is an emblem deeply rooted in religious and secular contexts. Consider its appearance in Christian iconography as a symbol of innocence and sacrifice. However, tracing back, one finds the motif already present in ancient pagan rituals, representing fertility and new beginnings. This duality reveals an interesting interplay of adaptation, where older symbols are re-purposed to fit new cultural narratives. The sheep's passive stance is telling; it prompts contemplation on themes of vulnerability, innocence, and perhaps a subconscious yearning for a simpler, more idyllic existence. Ultimately, van der Nat's sheep is not merely a pastoral scene, but also a potent symbol, shaped by centuries of shifting meanings that continue to engage our collective memory.