Three Goats 1816

Editor: Right, let's talk about "Three Goats" by Jean Louis de Marne. It's a simple drawing of goats, and I find the energy almost comical. What's your take? Curator: Comical is a great word! It reminds me of those old fables, where animals act out human dramas. Notice how de Marne uses light and shadow—the goats almost leap off the page! Does it make you wonder what goatly drama is unfolding here? Editor: Maybe! I see one up in a tree, like it's trying to escape the chaos. Is there some symbolism to that? Curator: Symbolism is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it? Maybe that goat is a visionary, or maybe it’s just really good at climbing. Art can be both silly and profound, I think. Editor: I guess it's a reminder not to take everything too seriously, even art? Curator: Precisely! And that’s something worth bleating about.