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A vividly coloured, minutely detailed painting of a shepherd and shepherdess, seated on the ground in a lush green summer meadow, surrounded by their sheep, a willow-lined grassy stream behind them. The shepherd is a 'hireling', a biblical reference (John 10, 12). In the centre, the young shepherdess leans back on her right arm, flirting with the young shepherd who is leaning forward on his knees with one arm around her shoulder showing her a death's head moth in his hand. The shepherdess is wearing a white long-sleeved smock, with white circular embroidery, over a bright red dress, a yellow head scarf over her auburn hair. The shepherd wears a bright blue over-garment, secured at his waist with a belt, from which hangs a small barrel. His lower legs are bound with rope.
Title
The Hireling Shepherd
Date
1851
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
H 76.4 x W 109.5 cm
Accession number
1896.29
Acquisition method
purchased from Tom Leathart, 1896
Work type
Painting
Inscription description
Signed blc : Holman Hunt. 1851. Ewell