1851
The more you look at this picture, the odder it becomes. The subject is from Shakespeare's King Lear, from Edgar's song about a shepherd neglecting his flock. Notice that he is showing her a death's head moth, her lamb is eating an apple (which will make it ill), the flock of sheep are in real trouble, straying and with one on its back. The colours clash and it isn't a scene of idyllic harmony at all.
5 comments:
Awfully complex and sums up the intriging character of William Holman Hunt.
Absolutely agree - a complex genius.
Thanks for the link - I thought I remembered the wandering sheep had something to do with difficulties in the established church.
That's useful to consider - many thanks.
there's no tale about shepherds that isn't overrated, this one is particularly mediocre.
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