Afternoon of a Sheepherder

Afternoon of a Sheepherder (1939) by Ernest L. Blumenschein captures the serenity and grandeur of the American Southwest. Bathed in warm afternoon light, a lone herder reclines against red canyon rocks as his flock of sheep winds below, echoing the rhythm of the land itself. The vast cliffs and distant mesas glow in shades of gold, purple, and rose beneath a pale moon, reflecting Blumenschein’s mastery of color and light.

As a founding member of the Taos Society of Artists, Blumenschein sought to bring the beauty and culture of the Southwest to wider audiences. Here, he transforms a simple pastoral scene into a sweeping narrative of endurance, solitude, and harmony between people and landscape—hallmarks of his vision of the American West.