Parable of the Good Shepherd

Philips Galle Netherlandish
After Pieter Bruegel the Elder Netherlandish

Not on view

Pieter Bruegel the Elder created only one print himself (The Rabbit Hunt, acc. no. 25.2.11) but he was a prolific designer of prints that were engraved and etched by others. The artist's drawn design for this engraving by Philips Galle has not survived. The Parable of the Good Shepherd depicts Christ emerging from a cottage that is attacked on all sides by thieves. He is surrounded by sheep and carries one on his shoulders. He is depicted as the good shepherd who is willing to die to protect his flock. He contrasts with the faithless shepherd in the upper right who runs from the wolf who attacks his flock. The accompanying verses were penned by Hadrianus Junius, a doctor and humanist scholar.

Parable of the Good Shepherd, Philips Galle (Netherlandish, Haarlem 1537–1612 Antwerp), Engraving

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