Little Bo-Peep

Little Bo-Peep is an artwork created with ink on paper. It is an interpretation of the famous nursery rhyme. This work of art is exhibited in Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery. Though it seems harmless at first glance, this work of art hides many layers of meanings. First of all, the theme of the small shepherdess, whose "sheep have gone astray" is associated with weakness, innocence, and vulnerability. In this regard, the choice of ink as a medium and the style of its application reinforce the message of this picture even more. But if we try to understand the deeper meaning of the image, it becomes obvious that the theme of the lost sheep could mean that something is being controlled by someone else. Moreover, the fact that Bo-Peep waits for the sheep instead of looking for them can indicate another level of meaning of the painting: Is this artist trying to illustrate how much patience and faith influence people? Or does she only want to show her passiveness and lack of motivation? Analyzing this painting from the perspective of the Victorian era, when such artworks were common, it becomes evident that there are some social messages behind this picture