Photography by Dwight Primiano
The Good Shepherd
Thomas Cole, a founder of American landscape painting, was increasingly religious in his later years, imbuing his paintings with Christian iconography and expressing spiritual themes. The Good Shepherd is Cole’s visual expression of the Biblical verse from Psalms 23, “The Lord is my shepherd.” A young shepherd leads a stray sheep “beside still waters” toward the flock bathed in warm sunlight. The lushness of the landscape conveys the idea that the Good Shepherd—the Lord—will provide for and protect his people
ArtistThomas Cole(1801-1848)
Date1848
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions44 3/4 x 60 7/8 x 5 1/2 in.
Signedl.l.: T. Cole / 1848
Mark(s)verso, u.r., on backing board: [Michael N. Altman & Co. label]
verso, u.r., on backing board: [Wadsworth Atheneum exhibition label]
verso, u.r., on backing board: [Michael Altman Fine Art & Advisory Services label]
verso, u.r., on stretcher: [Michael N. Altman & Co. label]
verso, u.c., on stretcher: [William S. Conely: Carver and Gilder label]
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2007.10
ClassificationPainting
ProvenanceIsabella Williamson Lee (b. 1800), New York, NY, 1848; by descent until 1983; to (Sotheby's, New York, NY), December 12, 1983; purchased by Gloria and Richard Manney, New York, NY; to (Sotheby's, New York, NY), May 27, 1993; purchased by Private Collection, New Fairfield, CT; Private Collection; (Michael Altman Fine Art & Advisory Services, New York, NY), 2007; purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2007
On ViewYes
This artwork's face covers about 2.5× the area of a standard movie poster.Drawn to the same scale.