A Pastoral Vision

Today the Christian calendar marks the day of Saint Bernadette, the patron saint of shepherds.

In Lourdes, France, Bernadette Soubirous (1844–79) had a series of visions of the Virgin Mary when she was only 14 years old. She went on to become a nun and was canonized in 1933.

Can't get to Lourdes to trace the steps of St. Bernadette? Then head over to the Renwick Gallery's Grand Salon. There you can see this Shepherd and many other fine paintings from the Smithsonian American Art Museum permanent collection.

Pictured: Ruger Donoho, 1857–1916, Shepherd, 1884, oil, 71 3/8 x 47 1/2 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John R. Hopkins.