Who painted Return of the Shepherd?

Return of the Shepherd was painted by William Blake in 1821.

Where can I see Return of the Shepherd?

Return of the Shepherd is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Return of the Shepherd?

Return of the Shepherd is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Return of the Shepherd

William Blake , 1821

Return of the Shepherd is an ink print by the Romanticist artist William Blake. It dates from 1821 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Return of the Shepherd is a wood engraving created by William Blake in 1821. It exemplifies Blake's distinctive approach to printmaking and visual storytelling.

Subject & Meaning

The engraving depicts a simple scene: a lone figure, likely a shepherd, followed by two sheep, set against a hilly or rocky landscape under a dim sky. The image's symbolism is characteristic of Blake's work, which often drew on imaginative and symbolic themes.

Technique & Style

The image features rough lines and shading, with texture achieved through cross-hatching—a technique where tiny parallel lines build up shadows and details to create depth without color.