Feeding Pigs n.d.

William Henry Pyne sketched "Feeding Pigs" with graphite, and within the scene, the act of feeding itself is a powerful symbol. Consider the pig, historically linked to both abundance and baser instincts. In ancient Greece, it was sacrificed to Demeter, goddess of harvest, ensuring fertility. Yet, elsewhere, it represented gluttony and uncleanliness. Here, Pyne reduces it to a mundane scene of sustenance. The figures attending the pigs, too, bear symbolic weight. They echo the Good Shepherd motif, caring for their flock. The act of feeding transcends mere physical nourishment. Think of religious rituals, where feeding symbolizes spiritual sustenance, or family meals, where it strengthens bonds. This simple sketch, thus, taps into primal memories and universal human experiences, reminding us how motifs evolve, carrying echoes of past meanings while adapting to new cultural landscapes.