Kudde schapen en ezel 1708 - 1767

Johann Elias Ridinger created this scene of sheep and a donkey using etching techniques. Immediately, we see animals, traditional symbols of peace, sacrifice, and humility. The sheep, huddled together, evoke a sense of community, of needing to be together for protection and warmth, reflecting the innate human desire for belonging. The donkey, burdened yet steadfast, reminds us of the toils and travels so essential to human existence. We see such groupings in ancient pastoral scenes, in which people take refuge in nature, from the Georgics of Virgil to the paintings of Millet. Consider how the humble sheep reappears in Christian iconography as a symbol of the flock of the faithful, guided by a shepherd. What feelings are stirred in us by this seemingly simple scene of rural life? The grouping of animals here speaks to primal needs: safety, sustenance, purpose. The donkey, in its steadfastness, evokes themes of resilience and duty that resonate deeply within us, connecting to our own experiences of burden and perseverance. The image cycles back to simpler times, evoking a non-linear past through enduring motifs.