The Good Shepherd Print Value Guide

The Good Shepherd print is a quintessential piece of early 20th-century American religious folk art, famously depicting Jesus holding a lamb based on the Gospel of John. These prints became iconic fixtures in Christian households between 1900 and 1950, often serving as central devotional pieces due to their comforting imagery.

What affects the value of The Good Shepherd Print?

• The presence of original convex glass significantly increases the market value compared to flat replacement glass.
• Condition of the paper, specifically the absence of water damage, foxing, or fading from direct sunlight.
• The integrity of the oval wooden frame, including the original finish and lack of structural cracks.
• Historical provenance or original manufacturer labels attached to the back of the frame.

How to Identify The Good Shepherd Print?

• Look for the distinctive oval-shaped wooden frame which was standard for this era of religious lithography.
• Check for original convex (bubble) glass, a hallmark of high-quality American prints from the early 1900s.
• Examine the paper for natural age-toning and the specific lithographic ink texture common in mid-century US production.
• Verify the presence of the original wire or sawtooth hanger on the reverse of the wooden frame.

History of The Good Shepherd Print

The image of Jesus as The Good Shepherd is one of the most enduring and beloved depictions in Christian art, rooted in biblical parables such as John 10:11-18. This particular style of print, often featuring convex glass, gained significant popularity in homes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These religious artworks provided comfort and served as a focal point for faith in many households, often passed down through generations.