Twee staande schapen 1806

Frédéric Théodore Faber made this etching of two standing sheep in the 19th century. During this period, livestock were essential to agrarian economies and rural identities. The representation of sheep wasn't merely bucolic; it reflected deep-seated cultural values about land, labor, and the pastoral ideal. These animals symbolize a connection to the earth, an adherence to a traditional way of life, and the intrinsic worth of rural existence. In Faber's depiction, do we see a glorification of the pastoral, or something else? One sheep seems to bleat. Is it a call or complaint? The other remains quiet, its head resting on its companion. This tender closeness, which is rarely depicted, offers an alternative narrative. Ultimately, this artwork serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between humanity and nature.