Schapen, kippen en een hek 1895 - 1897

Willem Cornelis Rip captured this sketch of sheep, chickens, and a fence with pen and ink. Immediately, our eyes are drawn to the ovine figures scattered across the landscape. The sheep, historically, carries rich symbolism. We see the Agnus Dei, the Lamb of God, a potent symbol of innocence and sacrifice in Christian iconography. But here, they are merely grazing, a testament to pastoral life. This motif echoes through art history, from idyllic Renaissance landscapes to modern representations of rural simplicity. These images evoke deep-seated feelings of peace and harmony. Yet, consider the fence, a boundary, a separation. It suggests a subtle tension between freedom and confinement, mirroring the human condition itself. This interplay of symbols engages us on a subconscious level, tapping into collective memories of nature, spirituality, and human existence. Ultimately, Rip’s sketch underscores the cyclical nature of symbols, reminding us how they resurface, evolve, and gain new meanings across time, continuing to resonate with our deepest emotions and cultural understanding.