Mannen met hoge hoeden en wandelstokken, mannenkoppen en een schapenherder c. 1840 - 1868

Johannes Tavenraat created this drawing with pen in the 19th century. At first glance, we see figures adorned with high hats and walking sticks, symbols deeply rooted in the bourgeoisie of that era. The high hat, a signifier of status and authority, contrasts sharply with the simple crook carried by the shepherd. The walking stick, a phallic symbol of virility and power, finds its echo in the shepherd's staff, a tool for guidance and protection, both of which appear throughout time in different contexts. Consider, for example, the scepters of ancient rulers. The scepter evolved from a practical tool to a potent symbol of command. Similarly, the shepherd, tending his flock, has become a symbol of pastoral tranquility, of simplicity, but also of leadership. There is something deeply affecting in the way Tavenraat juxtaposes these images. The artist invites us to reflect on the cyclical nature of symbols, their evolution, and their endurance in the collective consciousness.