Goat Herder at the San Antonio Quarry 1909

'Goat Herder at the San Antonio Quarry' shows a young man rendered in oils, it’s a painting that feels deeply rooted in its time and place. Onderdonk’s brushwork is loose, but controlled, full of little dabs and strokes. Look closely and you’ll see how he builds up the layers of paint, especially in the rocky outcrop to the right, and in the herder’s tattered clothing. The textures are so evocative, you can almost feel the rough stone and coarse fabric. The colour palette is warm, earthy, but with some vibrant reds and greens. The light is just beautiful, casting long shadows across the landscape, adding a sense of drama to the scene. There’s something timeless about this image, it reminds me of paintings by Millet, but with a uniquely American sensibility. Like those works, it makes you think about the relationship between humans and the land, and about the different ways of seeing and experiencing the world. It's a conversation that continues to inspire us today.