En ged med sit kid 1858

Johannes Wilhelm Zillen created this etching, "En ged med sit kid," during the mid-19th century, a period marked by significant shifts in European society and art. Zillen, working within a world increasingly shaped by industrialization and urbanization, turned his attention to the pastoral, capturing the intimate bond between a goat and its kid. His choice of subject matter invites reflection on themes of motherhood and the natural world, perhaps as a gentle counterpoint to the rapidly changing social landscape. Consider the emotional weight of depicting a mother and child, even within the animal kingdom. Does it evoke a sense of nostalgia for a simpler, more agrarian past? While seemingly straightforward, Zillen's etching subtly touches on broader societal values and anxieties of his time. It’s a quiet reminder of the enduring power of familial connection amidst upheaval.