Staande en liggende geit 1671

This etching of 'Standing and Lying Goats' was created by Johann Heinrich Roos in the 17th century. The composition presents a standing goat alongside two others lying down, set against a sparse landscape. Roos’s emphasis on line and form creates a structured yet informal portrayal of pastoral life. The etching technique, with its precise lines, defines the texture of the goats' hair and the subtle variations in light and shadow. Roos uses a semiotic system of signs to invite viewers to consider the relationship between nature and artifice. The lines defining the goats are not merely representational; they are structural elements that communicate a sense of order. Ultimately, the artwork's formal qualities—the lines, the balance of light, and the structured composition—prompt reflection on how we perceive and categorize the natural world. It reminds us that art offers a framework through which to understand our relationship to the environment.