The Good Shepherd
1585
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1585
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Good Shepherd is a 1585 ink by Adriaen Collaert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a quiet countryside scene with a shepherd standing near a flock of sheep. In the background, a village sits by a river, with people working the land and a church tower visible. A large tree frames the left side, while a lone figure leans on a staff, watching over the scene. The artist used fine lines to create depth and texture, especially in the sheep’s wool and the trees. This style is typical of engravings, where sharp tools carve details into metal plates. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made prints before photography.
