The Shepherdess
by Agnes Tait (American, 1894–1981)
Artist: Agnes Tait
Date: 20th Century
Medium: Mixed media on paper
Dimensions: 9 ¾ x 13 ¾ in. (Framed: 17 ½ x 21 ½ in.)
Provenance: Bonhams, Lot 1115 – California & Western Art Online, December 2024
The Shepherdess presents a serene vision of rural life, painted by Agnes Tait during the later years of her career. Known for her involvement in the WPA and for her ability to capture emotional and cultural nuance, Tait uses a soft, lyrical palette to depict a quiet moment in nature. A lone shepherdess stands among her goats, her posture relaxed and reflective, evoking both solitude and strength.
Tait’s refined brushwork and compositional sensitivity reveal her academic training and narrative focus. The scene unfolds with subtle color harmonies and rhythmic lines, guiding the viewer across the landscape while centering the human figure in communion with her surroundings. This pastoral image speaks to themes of independence, self-reliance, and the dignity of everyday labor—hallmarks of Tait’s oeuvre.
This painting pairs naturally with Mexican Bathers, another Tait work currently available through Chicagoland Masterpiece Revival. While Mexican Bathers celebrates social ritual and female camaraderie, The Shepherdess shifts toward introspection and stillness. Together, the two works reveal the artist’s dual interest in both collective identity and private reflection.
Unrestored and in excellent condition, The Shepherdess retains its original surface and tonal balance. It is a prime example of Tait’s smaller-scale oils—rare, quietly expressive, and beautifully composed. This piece is now available for private acquisition.
To discover more about the artist, visit our Agnes Tait profile page. For additional works by women artists, explore our American Regionalist Paintings section.