Studies (a) Three kneeling shepherds. (b) Two arms

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's, *Studies (a) Three shepherds. (b) arms)* dates to the mid-18th century (5–1775), a vibrant era of colonial American art when artists drew inspiration from European traditions while forging a distinct New World identity. Acquired through museum purchase with gifts from various donors, work falls under the classification of "figures," likely preparatory sketches or small sculptural models capturing human anatomy and pose. Though the artist remains unknown—befitting many anonymous works from this period—its presence in the Smithsonian highlights t...

About the Artist

Unknown

The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...