En fåreflok 1880

Carl Frederik Bartsch etched this scene of grazing sheep, a seemingly simple image, laden with a rich symbolic history. Sheep, throughout time, have stood for innocence, purity, and the flock under the shepherd's care. Consider how the 'Lamb of God' appears in Christian iconography, embodying sacrifice and redemption. Yet, venture further back, and we see the symbol's roots in pagan rituals, where sheep were offered to deities for protection and fertility. The collective memory of these associations lingers, influencing our subconscious perception. We are drawn to the flock's vulnerability and the comforting notion of pastoral care. This idyllic scene evokes a yearning for simpler times, tapping into a primal sense of safety and belonging that is powerful. The sheep motif, thus, is not linear. It is cyclical, resurfacing across millennia, evolving and accumulating layers of meaning.