Berglandschappen met een herder en vee in Marienbad 1858

This landscape with a shepherd and cattle, sketched by Johannes Tavenraat, evokes a timeless pastoral scene, a symbol of simpler life. The shepherd himself, staff in hand, becomes an icon, his posture echoing figures in classical and biblical art. Think of Hermes, or the Good Shepherd. These figures, recurring throughout art history, represent guidance, care, and a connection to nature. The staff, a simple tool, transforms into a scepter of authority, yet also a humble instrument of protection. Consider how such images tap into a collective memory, a longing for a harmonious relationship with the earth. The rolling hills and grazing cattle stir something deep within us. The same symbol appears in different contexts, whether religious, mythical, or historical. And as it is repeated, it has evolved and been passed down through history, shifting in meaning. There is a non-linear, cyclical progression to this symbol. It resurfaces, evolves, and takes on new meanings in different historical contexts.