Liggend schaap met twee lammeren 1685 - 1828

William Young Ottley created this etching of a reclining sheep with two lambs in the 18th or 19th century. Sheep, often symbols of gentleness and purity, appear frequently in Christian art as metaphors for the faithful and Christ himself as the Good Shepherd. This pastoral scene echoes motifs found in earlier bucolic art, where sheep represent innocence and a return to simpler times. The image of the lamb has ancient roots, appearing in sacrificial rites across cultures, from the Jewish Passover to Greek traditions. The tenderness of the ewe caring for her lambs evokes the universal theme of motherhood, a powerful image that resonates on a subconscious level, stirring deep emotional connections to protection and nurturing. These archetypal images have resurfaced repeatedly, evolving through different eras, yet maintaining their core symbolic power.