Herders met kudde bij een rots 1650 - 1750

This is a landscape with herders and their flock, etched by an unknown hand. The shepherd’s staff, the crook, isn't just a tool for guiding sheep. In a deeper sense, it’s a symbol of guidance itself. Think back to ancient Egypt, where the crook and flail were emblems of pharaonic power, symbols of kings as shepherds of their people. The motif of a leader with a staff reappears in the Christian tradition, with Jesus as the Good Shepherd, staff in hand, watching over his flock. The staff is a potent signifier of authority, care, and protection across cultures. Even in modern times, the image of a figure holding a staff, whether a CEO or a politician, taps into this deep-seated association. The cultural memory of the staff is powerful. It evokes feelings of trust, security, and guidance, reminding us that some symbols transcend time, reappearing in endless forms.