Shepherd Playing a Flute
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Shepherd Playing a Flute” now? Collection: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Not on view at present. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
During the Renaissance and early modern periods, pastoral motifs (such as shepherds herding livestock) became quite popular, as they had been in antiquity. Pastoral images portray an idyllic fantasy of outdoor living, made to appeal to an urban audience far removed from the realities of agrarian life. One popular pastoral theme was a shepherd playing a flute for a young woman, which could have erotic undertones. Here a young man serenades not only a maiden, but also a menagerie of animals including a cow, a donkey, a goat, and a sheep.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 1926.1888
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
