Standing Shepherd 1515 - 1540

Parmigianino created this etching of a ‘Standing Shepherd’ in the 1520-30s, a period marked by significant social and religious upheaval. In this small, yet compelling work, we see a figure traditionally associated with rural simplicity and religious allegory. The shepherd, often idealized, here appears with a pronounced sense of humanity. The etching technique, with its stark lines, emphasizes a raw, almost vulnerable quality in the subject. During the Renaissance, the shepherd was a potent symbol, carrying layers of meaning from pastoral innocence to religious guidance. Parmigianino subtly challenges this traditional representation by infusing the figure with a palpable sense of weight and presence. Ultimately, this etching invites us to consider the complexities of identity, both in art and in life, revealing how even seemingly simple subjects can reflect deep societal values and personal introspection.