Zwart schaap met lam 1828 - 1885

Dirk van Lokhorst created this print titled 'Zwart schaap met lam' which translates to 'Black Sheep with Lamb', using etching techniques. Considered through a contemporary lens, the artwork presents a tableau of pastoral life, but also invites questions about identity and belonging. In Dutch and many other cultures, the term "black sheep" refers to someone who is considered an outcast. The contrast between the black sheep and the lamb might symbolize the transmission of societal roles or stigmas across generations. What does it mean to be marked as different? Notice that while seemingly bucolic, the imagery is tinged with the weight of social expectations and the burden of difference. In what ways might our identities be shaped by these historical narratives?