Liggende geit bij boomstam 1700 - 1800

This is D. Merrem’s delicate rendering of ‘Liggende geit bij boomstam’, made with etching. Notice how the composition is structured by simple contrasts. The goat, lying horizontally, is set against the vertical tree trunk, creating a stable, almost classical balance. The texture is built through a network of fine lines, giving the fur a tactile quality, as if you could reach out and feel its coarseness. The light in the scene appears to come from the right, casting subtle shadows that define the form of the goat and adding depth to the otherwise sparse landscape. The etching technique allows for a play of light and shadow, using the bare minimum to suggest volume and space. What's compelling here is the way Merrem uses the formal constraints of the etching medium to evoke a sense of pastoral calm, inviting us to reflect on the quiet dignity of this humble creature.