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Study for The Hireling Shepherd, 1851. Creator: William Holman Hunt (British
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Study for The Hireling Shepherd, 1851. Creator: William Holman Hunt (British
Study for " The Hireling Shepherd", 1851. Together with Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais, Hunt was one of the founding members in 1848 of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of young artists who rejected the heavy darkness and idealization of academic history painting, replacing it with meticulously observed, jewel-coloured naturalistic detail. This is a study for the figures in the oil painting The Hireling Shepherd, Hunts first commercial success. The poses of the couple in the painting are remarkably close to the early study: the shepherd approaches the shepherdess upon his knees, encircling her shoulders with his arm. Devoid of extraneous detail, the study concentrates on the romantic play and erotic tension expressed by the lovers intertwined limbs and faces and hands that stop just short of touching
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a study for William Holman Hunt's renowned painting, "The Hireling Shepherd" from 1851. As one of the founding members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Hunt rebelled against traditional academic history painting and instead embraced meticulous observation and vibrant naturalistic detail. This particular study focuses on the figures in the oil painting, which became Hunt's first commercial success. In this image, we witness a couple deeply engaged in an intimate moment. The shepherd approaches his beloved on his knees, tenderly encircling her shoulders with his arm. With minimal distractions in the background, this study emphasizes the romantic play and erotic tension between these lovers through their intertwined limbs and faces. Their hands tantalizingly hover just shy of touching. William Holman Hunt's attention to detail is evident even in this preliminary sketch. Every line drawn with graphite exudes a sense of realism that brings these figures to life. The artist captures not only their physical proximity but also conveys their emotional connection. Preserved by Heritage Art/Heritage Images and housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art, this print allows us to appreciate both the technical skill and artistic vision behind "Study for The Hireling Shepherd". It serves as a testament to Hunt's contribution to British art during the 19th century while offering viewers an intimate glimpse into a timeless tale of love and desire.
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