Vier schaapskoppen 1755 - 1811

Barend Hendrik Thier created "Vier schaapskoppen", or "Four Sheep Heads", using etching. Looking at these four sheep, each rendered with its own distinct character, I think about the rural economies and social hierarchies of 18th-century Netherlands. Sheep weren't just livestock; they were symbols of wealth, sustenance, and the agricultural backbone of society. Thier, who was working during a period of economic change and social stratification, captures this intersection of nature and culture. The texture, rendered through delicate lines, invites us to consider the labor and resources intertwined with these animals. Each sheep has a unique facial expression. It’s hard not to see something of human nature reflected back at us. In a world increasingly shaped by industrial progress, these sheep remind us of the deep connections to the land. They reflect the changing values and identities of a society on the cusp of modernity.