De ezel en het schaap c. 1830

This lithograph by Paulus Lauters features a donkey and a sheep, gentle creatures often laden with symbolic weight. The donkey, standing firm, brings to mind its ancient association with burden-bearing and humility, a motif echoed through religious art to this day. Beside it, the sheep, a symbol of innocence and docility, rests. This pairing invites a comparison, a silent dialogue between two forms of service and obedience. These animals, seemingly simple, carry within them layers of cultural memory. Consider the ‘Ecce Agnus Dei’, the Lamb of God, an icon passed down through centuries, now appearing in this humble pastoral scene. The lithograph presents us with a poignant reflection on nature and symbolism, engaging our subconscious recognition of these figures. The power of these images lies in their ability to resonate across time, reminding us of the enduring human quest to find meaning in the world around us.