The Good Shepherd
circa 1918 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
An oil painting depicting a shepherd figure standing beside a stone structure with sheep, rendered in a heavy, monochromatic, golden-brown impasto. The work is characteristic of Tanner's later style, which often focused on biblical subjects interpreted through a soft, atmospheric lens.
Did you know?
Henry Ossawa Tanner was the first African American painter to gain international acclaim. After facing significant racial prejudice in the United States, he moved to Paris in 1891, where he became highly influential, eventually becoming the first African American to be named a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in France. His later work, like this piece, often moved away from strict realism into more symbolic and spiritual explorations of light.
On your wall. Unlock the 4K download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The Good Shepherd
Henry Tanner, circa 1918
