The Good Shepherd

Art Historical Context

In the serene drawing *The Good Shepherd*, created by Gottfried Eichler Younger between 1715 1770, visitors encounter a delicate rendering of the biblical Jesus as the compassionate shepherd from John 10:11. Eichler, a German artist active in the Rococo era, employs pen and black ink with brush and gray wash on a modest sheet measuring 8 3/4 x 6 3/16 inches. This intimate scale invites close contemplation, evoking the devotional art popular in 18th-century Catholic Europe, where such imagery reinforced faith amid the Counter-Reformation's lingering influence. The medium's subtlety shines here: fine pen lines define contours and foliage—hinted at by the artwork's plant motifs—while gray washes add depth and atmospheric softness, a technique mastered by draftsmen for studies or reproductive prints. Eichler's work often echoed renowned masters, blending intricate detail with graceful Rococo elegance, making religious narratives accessible and emotionally resonant. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2005 through the Charles and Jessie Price Gift, this piece from the Drawings and Prints department exemplifies the era's fusion of spirituality and artistry. Pause to admire how Eichler's touch transforms scripture into a tender, verdant vision of divine care.