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David Shepherd Art

English, 1931-2017

David Shepherd was born in the UK in 1931. He was not only one of his generation’s most well-known artists, but also an outspoken preservationist. At the age of just eight years old, he won a painting competition for the magazine Nursery World, marking the beginning of his painting career. Yet, after his school years, he traveled to Kenya in the hopes of becoming a game warden. Though he was rejected, the trip would ignite his passions for wildlife and wildlife preservation. He continued to paint throughout his lifetime, and many of his canvases took as their subjects the wildlife that he had grown to love. In addition to his animal subjects, he also dedicated paintings to the locomotive. He was a famed collector of steam locomotives, devoting much of his time later in his life to the preservation of these powerful engines. Shepherd was heavily involved in the founding of a heritage steam railway, the East Somerset Railway, and owned a number of historic locomotives. Both his painting of animals and steam engines were remarkably popular amongst the collecting public, and they remain highly prized today.

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Artist: David Shepherd
Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting
Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting

Your Eye Is A Diamond (ii), Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage," says artist David Shepherd. He presents a vibrant, realistic piece of a face covered in vibrant flowers. A prismatic light...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Lazarus, Oil Painting
Lazarus, Oil Painting

Lazarus, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Bright pink petals frame a close-up portrait. For artist David Shepherd, the eye—like a fingerprint—uniquely identifies a person, yet their identity, orig...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed
The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed

The Flying Scotsman 4472 Steam Train signed ltd ed

By David Shepherd

Located in Hillsborough, NC

‘The Flying Scotsman’ is an iconic steam train running from Edinburgh to Kings Cross London. Dubbed ‘The Flying Scotsman’ when exhibited in 1924 the expres...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Laid Paper, Color, Offset

Blending In, Oil Painting
Blending In, Oil Painting

Blending In, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A hyperrealistic close-up view of an eye surrounded by vibrant red and yellow flowers in full bloom. "The viewer cannot know if the model is a man or woman, a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting
Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting

Giant Refreshed BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser Canopus Airliner Aircraft Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in Sutton Poyntz, Dorset

David Shepherd. English ( b.1931 – d.2017 ). Giant Refreshed, 1953. BOAC Boeing 377 Stratocruiser, Canopus. Oil On Canvas. Signed & Dated 1953 Lower Right. Image size 19.7 inches...

Category

Mid-20th Century Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Never Going Back, Oil Painting
Never Going Back, Oil Painting

Never Going Back, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
A hyperrealistic painting of a close-up view of an eye framed by glistening white and pink flower petals. Part of artist David Shepherd's series investigating...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

“The Leopard Cub”
“The Leopard Cub”

“The Leopard Cub”

By David Shepherd

Located in Warren, NJ

This is an David Shepherd, (British, 1931-2017) The Leopard Cub, Pencil on Paper . In good condition measures Frame: 12 by 16 inches Sight: 4 1/2 by 7 inches

Category

20th Century David Shepherd Art

Materials

Pencil

Sustension, Oil Painting
Sustension, Oil Painting

Sustension, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting created with breathtaking detail. Artist David Shepherd used water and flowers to create a feeling of life, and to serve...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting
Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting

Loose Lips Sink Ships, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
"The flowers hide the face so that you don’t make assumptions about the model, you focus on the beauty of existence," states artist David Shepherd. "You appreciate that they are a person without any impressions of their character. When I compose a painting I think back to my childhood memories. It ties in with what I was saying above. When you’re a child it’s much easier to make friends and enjoy people. That innocence allows for such pure emotion. I always try and get back to that feeling when I’m composing my work."


About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.


Words that describe this painting: flowers, floral, portrait, realism, hyperrealism, photorealism, hyperreal, face, beauty, eye, rainbow, calm, calming, love, lips, people, large, people, flora, realism, oil painting, pink


Loose Lips...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Kiss, Oil Painting
Kiss, Oil Painting

Kiss, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's lips. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among ot...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Oculus, Oil Painting
Oculus, Oil Painting

Oculus, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's faces. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Grapeshot, Oil Painting
Grapeshot, Oil Painting

Grapeshot, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic portrait of a woman adorned with white flowers. "The eye is like a fingerprint, it uniquely identifies us," says...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Plastic
Plastic

Plastic

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this hyperrealistic painting, David depicts a model holding plastic to her face. The work is meant as a commentary on global warming and a need to plan fo...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting
Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting

Passing Ships in the Night, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting created with breathtaking detail. Artist David Shepherd explains that he used the glass surface in this piece as a light...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Honey Dust, Oil Painting
Honey Dust, Oil Painting

Honey Dust, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Part of David Shepherd's latest series of hyperrealist paintings focusing on women's faces. A sensual portrait rendered in extremely precise painting. Among o...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Gaining Ground, Oil Painting
Gaining Ground, Oil Painting

Gaining Ground, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd promotes and explores the idea of united humanity regardless of who he paints. Focusing on the eye in this hyperrealistic piece, he surr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting
Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting

Steel Magnolia, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic image of an eye surrounded by dewy magnolias in full bloom. He explores the idea of united humanity by obscuring the identity of his subject. "As we move forward in history, we move past the limitations of gender and race to see all people as equal and able to have a voice in society and be seen as beautiful," says David. The piece draws a symbolic comparison between the uniqueness of every flower and the singularity of a person.


About the Artist
Canadian artist David Shepherd fuses techniques from both old and modern masters to create contemporary interpretations of the human form. While offering strong nods to pop art and cubism, the work remains grounded by David’s training in 19th Century academic realism. Combining discrete techniques within a single tableau is initially jarring to the viewer, creating an unexpected visual complexity in the work and demonstrating the artist’s breadth of skills. “I think in the future we will be much more interested in works of art that show a mastery of multiple styles,” says David. Each artwork effectually suggests the surreal nature of human existence within a convoluted modern society.


Words that describe this painting: flower, floral, portrait, child, realism, hyperrealism, photorealism, eye, beauty, rainbow, bright, love, petals, detailed, oilpaint, people, people, flora, realism, oil painting, white


Steel Magnolia...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting
Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting

Healthy Choices II, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Artist David Shepherd paints a hyperrealistic close-up image of lips sipping on a flower. A torrent of dewy nectar drips slowly to the subject's mouth. Her sp...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Within and Without, Oil Painting
Within and Without, Oil Painting

Within and Without, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this hyperrealistic painting of a close-up view of an eye framed by delicate white flowers, artist David Shepherd investigates taking people out of gender....

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Healthy Choices, Oil Painting
Healthy Choices, Oil Painting

Healthy Choices, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
In this provocative hyperrealist painting, artist David Shepherd uses honey and leaves as symbols of health, well-being and sexuality. "By only showing a part...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

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The Citadel of Cairo: 19th C. Hand-colored Roberts Lithograph
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This is an original 19th century hand-colored lithograph entitled "Petra, Shewing the Upper or Eastern End of the Valley" by David Roberts, from his Egypt, The Holy Land and Nubia volumes of the large folio edition, published in London by F. G. Moon in 1849. The lithographs were prepared by Louis Haghe (1806-1885) from drawings and paintings by Roberts. The resultant large folio editions of 'The Holy Land' and 'Egypt & Nubia' are considered the greatest lithographically illustrated works issued in the 19th century. This is one of Roberts' most famous and collectible works. The scene captures a view of the magnificent ruins of Petra in what is Jordan today, as it appeared on March 8, 1839, on the day of Roberts' visit. Multiple Arab men are approaching Petra; some on foot and others riding camels. They are dressed in their colorful local costumes. Roberts' signature and hand written date are reproduced in the plate on the left. This hand-colored lithograph is printed on wove paper with wide margins. There is some loss of color in the text in the title and a faint dark curvilinear area in the upper right. The print is otherwise in very good condition. It is presented in a gold-colored wood frame with a tan mat. It is glazed with UV protected conservation glass. All framing materials used are archival museum quality. The frame measures 23.63" high and 29" wide. There are two additional iconic David Roberts hand-colored lithographs for sale on 1stdibs that are matted and framed in identical styles, although slightly different sizes. They are scenes of Approach of Simoon, Desert of Gizeh and the Petra. They can be viewed by typing their reference #'s, LU1173211955452 and LU1173211969422, into the 1stdibs search field or typing Timeless Intaglio in the search field and tapping on the drop down name to be taken to our storefront. Two or all three of these pieces would make for a striking display grouping. A discount is available for the purchase of multiple pieces. David Roberts (1796-1864) was a Scottish painter who specialized in landscapes, architectural subjects, and scenes from the Middle East and Europe. Born in Edinburgh, Roberts began his career at age ten as an apprentice to a house painter and eventually became a scene painter for theater companies in Edinburgh and London. In the 1820s, J. M. W. Turner recognized his artistic talent and encouraged him to become a full-time artist. He began to focus on painting landscapes and architecture. In 1838 he traveled to Egypt and soon after to the Holy Land, concluding in Jerusalem. Roberts' travels in the Middle East had a profound impact on his art, and he produced a series of highly detailed and realistic paintings and sketches of the region's famous ruins and other landmarks, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Temple of Abu Simbel...

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Original California Wine Country vintage wine and travel poster
Original California Wine Country vintage wine and travel poster

Original California Wine Country vintage wine and travel poster

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1970s Abstract Expressionist David Shepherd Art

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“Eastern White Pines, c. 1910”, New England Landscape, Signed Oil Painting
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“Guitar Player in Recife, Brazil, 1886” Pernambuco Brazilian Coast Oil Signed
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Previously Available Items
Fresh Start, Oil Painting
Fresh Start, Oil Painting

Fresh Start, Oil Painting

By David Shepherd

Located in San Francisco, CA

Artist Comments
Provocative hyperrealist oil painting rendered with breathtaking detail. "The world is a strange place," says artist David Shepherd. "Parents trying to interp...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Realist David Shepherd Art

Materials

Oil

Tiger
Tiger

David ShepherdTiger

Sold

H 28.25 in W 42.5 in

Tiger

By David Shepherd

Located in Belgravia, London, London

Oil on canvas Canvas size: 20 x 34 inches Framed size: 28.25 x 42.5 inches Signed lower right

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20th Century Impressionist David Shepherd Art

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In the Sheds, Swindon
In the Sheds, Swindon

In the Sheds, Swindon

By David Shepherd

Located in New Orleans, LA

This exceptional oil on canvas was composed by the great British artist David Shepherd. Masterfully composed, it brings together two of the renowned painter’s passions - painting and steam locomotives. Shepherd owned a number of locomotives, all of them British built, which came to serve as the basis for his most coveted oils. Highly detailed, the works bring to life the majesty and might of British industry through the form of these titans of the railways. In In the Sheds...

Category

20th Century Academic David Shepherd Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

David Shepherd art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic David Shepherd art available for sale on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing the collection of art to introduce a pop of color in a neutral corner of your living room or bedroom, you can find work that includes elements of pink and other colors. You can also browse by medium to find art by David Shepherd in oil paint, paint and more. Not every interior allows for large David Shepherd art, so small editions measuring 13 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Howard Chandler Christy, Nicholas Berger, and Wes Hempel. David Shepherd art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,725 and tops out at $4,725, while the average work can sell for $4,725.

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