Geit, schaap en staande os 1806

Frédéric Théodore Faber created this print, "Geit, schaap en staande os" using etching. During the 18th and 19th centuries, animals were frequently portrayed as symbols of innocence, purity, and pastoral simplicity, which can be seen as a response to the increasing industrialization of Europe. The focus on livestock may also reflect the economic importance of agriculture, with animals representing prosperity. The artist’s choice to depict these particular animals—a goat, sheep, and ox—might speak to the varied roles animals played in rural life, from providing wool and milk to serving as beasts of burden. Note how Faber uses a delicate touch to render the animals, capturing their textures and forms with fine lines. This etching invites a moment of reflection on our relationship with the natural world and the roles animals have played in shaping human societies.