Young Boy with a Lamb; The Good Shepherd

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's "Young Boy with a Lamb; The Good Shepherd," painted in 1911, is a captivating piece you see here at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The painting immediately draws your eye to the young boy at its center. He's nude, holding a white lamb closely, almost protectively. Notice the way the artist has painted the water around him – it's almost abstract, with these swirling blues and greens that contrast beautifully with the deep reds and purples of the background. And the boy's skin! It's this vibrant orange-red that truly pops against the cooler tones surrounding him. Kirchner's brushstrokes are bold and expressive, adding to the overall feeling of movement and emotion in the piece. Take a moment to appreciate the tenderness in the boy's posture as he cares for the lamb. It's a truly moving depiction of compassion and connection.