Good Shepherd (Fresco)

The Good Shepherd Fresco is a wall painting composition dating from the early Christian period, uncovered in 2025. The fresco, dated to the 3rd century, is located in a burial chamber with a north wall richly decorated with ornamental motifs. It depicts Jesus as a young, beardless figure carrying a large horned ram on his shoulders.

The Good Shepherd Fresco, Excavation Work (Panoramanews)

Archaeological Findings

The Good Shepherd fresco was discovered in a burial chamber with a north wall richly adorned with decorative elements within the Hisardere Necropolis in İznik. Based on architectural structure, fresco technique and stylistic analysis, the necropolis was in use between the 2nd and 5th centuries CE. The burial chamber contains an interior arrangement constructed of brick and stone; in this space, three individuals — two adults and an infant — were buried on a klinē (a four-legged rectangular funerary couch), decorated with plant motifs and pairs of birds.

On the wall where the fresco is located, a young beardless figure carrying a horned ram on his shoulders is depicted symmetrically alongside two goats. On the west wall of the same burial structure, a married couple dressed in attire emphasizing their aristocratic status and two small servant figures attending them are portrayed. The coexistence of animal and plant motifs with human figures on the walls indicates that the artwork reflects the transitional phase between pagan traditions and early Christian artistic sensibilities.

The Couple on the West Wall (Panoramanews)

Replica of The Good Shepherd Presented to Pope Leo XIV

On Thursday 27 November 2025, as part of Pope Leo XIV’s first official foreign visit to Türkiye, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented the Pope with a ceramic replica of the Good Shepherd fresco.

The gift was unveiled during a ceremony held in Ankara. This fresco, dated to the early Christian period, draws attention due to its iconographic structure. According to archaeological evidence, it is the first known example of its kind discovered outside Italy and thus holds international significance.^【1】 The Vatican team that conducted studies at the site prior to the Pope’s visit was reportedly deeply impressed by the artistic and historical value of the artwork.^【2】

Origins of Early Depictions of The Good Shepherd

Similarly, scenes depicting Orpheus playing his lyre and charming animals with music align with the shepherd imagery through the concepts of pastoral peace and guidance. These figures are typically portrayed as young, beardless males carrying a ram or goat on their shoulders. This iconography later evolved into the Christian depiction of Jesus as “The Good Shepherd,” symbolizing his spiritual leadership and protective role. This transformation is clearly visible in wall paintings found in the catacombs of Priscilla, Domitilla and Callixtus in Rome. These pagan-derived themes were reinterpreted within Christian iconography, acquiring new religious meaning in both content and form.

In Christian belief, Jesus’ self-identification as “The Good Shepherd” has established this figure as a central theological symbol. The Gospels portray Jesus as a shepherd who protects his sheep, lays down his life for them, and gathers them together.^【3】 In early Christian art, this representation was concretely expressed through frescoes, mosaics and sculptures.

In this context, early depictions of The Good Shepherd represent a visual and symbolic continuity from ancient pagan art to early Christian art. The origins of these portrayals were shaped by mythological, symbolic and socio-religious meanings associated with the shepherd figure.

In ancient Greek and Roman times, the shepherd figure carried divine and heroic attributes. Mythological characters such as Hermes and Orpheus were prominently depicted as shepherds. The Hermes Kriophoros type, showing Hermes carrying a ram on his shoulders, is regarded as the precursor to Good Shepherd imagery. Orpheus, portrayed gathering animals around him with his lyre, bore resemblance to depictions of Jesus as a savior and guide.

The most distinctive feature of these early portrayals is the depiction of the figure as beardless, youthful and rendered with soft lines. The lamb carried on the shoulder symbolizes the shepherd’s guidance and the sacrificial connection of the animal. At the same time, these images embody a transition from pagan imagery to Christian iconography.

The Good Shepherd fresco uncovered in 2025 at the Hisardere Necropolis in İznik, Anatolia, has been recorded as one of the earliest known examples of this iconography in Anatolia. This fresco, showing parallels with similar depictions from Roman-era catacombs, stands out for its figurative details and symmetrical composition.