The Shepherd
Eugène Zak
1910–1911
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 116.8 × 81.8 cm (46 × 32 1/8 in.)
- Genre
- painting
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Tags
paintingshepherdsChicago World's Fairsgreen (color)streamsCentury of Progressmodern and contemporary artsheepyellow (color)animalsflowersthirstDrinkingworld's fairspastures
About
Among the rolling hills of an Arcadian setting, a lone shepherd humbles himself before a flowing stream. Such idyllic landscapes earned Eugène Zak his reputation in both Europe and the United States; this work specifically was exhibited for the first time in the landmark International Modern Art Exhibition, better known as the Armory Show, in 1913. A mixture of symbolist and avant-garde sensibilities, The Shepherd’s geometric composition conveys a sense of harmony between humanity and nature. The shepherd himself strikes a dramatic posture, adding to the theatricality of his vibrant, golden-yellow costume.