De maand april after 1635

This is Frederick Bloemaert's "The Month of April", an etching that captures the essence of rural life. Bloemaert presents an intimate scene of farmers among their livestock. April, marking the height of spring, is a season of fertility and growth. Note the presence of goats. In classical mythology, goats are intimately linked to the god Pan, a symbol of raw nature and untamed vitality. These goats serve as more than mere farm animals; they are carriers of potent cultural memory, linking the viewer back to ancient rites and festivals that celebrated the earth’s awakening. The scene evokes an emotional response, a deep-seated recognition of the rhythms of nature and the human connection to the land. This connection touches something primal within us. As such, Bloemaert’s depiction taps into a collective unconscious, where symbols of the earth, fertility, and labor reside. The return of the goat, and what it represents, is a symbol constantly being reshaped by cultural forces.