Standing Goat, from Die Zweite Thierfolge 1800

"Standing Goat" is an etching by Johann Christian Reinhart, part of his series "Die Zweite Thierfolge." Reinhart, who lived from 1761 to 1847, created this print during a time when the depiction of animals often carried symbolic weight. The image presents a solitary goat, rendered with careful detail against a sparse landscape. We see its wiry coat, its sturdy stance, and the bell around its neck, all suggesting a life both pastoral and perhaps constrained. How might the goat be a stand-in for the rural peasantry, tied to the land and marked by its labor? The goat's gaze is direct, almost confrontational. Does the artwork maintain traditional stereotypes or develop alternative narratives? Reinhart's choice to focus on such a humble animal invites reflection on broader societal structures. As you consider this print, think about how it shapes or reflects societal issues, while also referencing the emotional and personal dimensions of the piece.