Liggende bok 1829

This etching of a resting goat was made by Johannes Mock in 1829. Here, the goat lies in the grass as a symbol deeply rooted in the cultural psyche. From ancient Greece, where the goat was associated with fertility and Dionysian revelry, to its frequent appearance in Judeo-Christian traditions, it has carried varied, often contradictory meanings. Think of Pan, the half-goat god of the wild, embodying primal instincts. The image of the goat, so potent with life, becomes entwined with notions of sacrifice, sin, and redemption. It embodies the liminal space between the sacred and the profane, acting as a mirror, reflecting our own inner conflicts and desires. As this motif has recurred through history, its significance has shifted, shaped by cultural anxieties and aspirations.