The Hireling Shepherd 1851

"The Hireling Shepherd" (1851) by William Holman Hunt is a Pre-Raphaelite painting that depicts a shepherd and his love interest in a rural setting. The shepherd is kneeling, seemingly in devotion to the woman who is sitting on the ground and petting a lamb. The painting's focus on detail, realism, and symbolism reflects the Pre-Raphaelite movement's artistic ideals. The lush green landscape and pastoral setting emphasize the themes of love and nature. The painting is housed in the Manchester Art Gallery and is considered a seminal work of the Pre-Raphaelite movement.