Henry Ossawa Tanner was the first internationally acclaimed African American artist. Renowned for his biblical paintings and their spirituality, he infused his paintings with light and mystery. In this version of the biblical story of the Good Shepherd, one of Tanner’s favorite subjects, bright, white sunlight casts shadows of purples and blues around the figure of Christ and his flock of sheep.

Tanner studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art before completing his studies in France, where he lived for most of his adult life. The vitality of the French art community and relative freedom from racism helped him earn a level of success unavailable in the United States.