Fritz Wegner: The Shepherds

Artist: Fritz Wegner
1924 -
Nationality: Austrian
Artwork Year: 1981
Image Size: 9 by 9 inches
Overall Size: 11.75 by 12.5 inches
Medium: Water Color on Hot Press Illustration Board

The first people to worship the Christ Child were shepherds. They were tending their flocks in the steep Judean hills, when the Angel appeared in the heavens to announce the Holy Birth. The shepherds were rough and simple men, armed against the dangers of the countryside with knives, slings and staff. Their clothes were those of the poor -- a sleeved jacket, knee-length tunic and coat of sheepskin. The shepherds were despised by many of their countrymen for their poverty and distrusted for their lawless life in the hills. Yet, these men were the first to kneel and worship at the manger. Perhaps offering such gifts as fleece for a blanket or a piece of cheese, they adored the babe whose birth had been heralded by angels. They had little to give, for their life in the hills was frugal. Somehow, the poor shepherds seemed to know that their lowly station in life would be no hindrance at Bethlehem. Indeed, they were as welcome as the resplendent kings who came later. Perhaps in their hearts they knew that the Child whom they had come to worship would one day be called the Good Shepherd and that he would declare that "Whosoever ... shall humble himself ... the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." It is fitting that the first witnesses to the birth of the Christ Child were humble shepherds, called away from their fields where they sat nurturing their flocks.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® The Shepherds Collectors Plate for Christmas 1982.

Artwork Copyright © 1981 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB07110

US$ Price: $1,650.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.