The Hireling Shepherd
William Holman Hunt · 1851
Why it's great
A shepherd flirts with a girl in a sunlit field as the sheep stray into the wheat. Hunt painted each leaf, each tuft of wool, in vivid color. He meant it as a lesson about neglecting duty. It's a joyous, detailed picture.
Where to see it
📍 Manchester Art GalleryManchester, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
William Holman Hunt was born in London and, with Millais and Rossetti, founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848. He traveled to the Middle East to paint biblical scenes with realistic backgrounds. His most famous painting is 'The Light of the World'. He died in London in 1910.
