Artwork

The Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Unknown, 1650
The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Unknown, 1650

The Adoration of the Shepherds is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst. The work titled *Adoration of the Shepherds* dates to around 1650 and is attributed to the artist recorded as 851_person.

About this work

Overview

The work titled *Adoration of the Shepherds* dates to around 1650 and is attributed to the artist recorded as 851_person. It is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography, where it is displayed as an example of mid‑seventeenth‑century religious painting.

Subject & Meaning

The composition portrays a biblical scene in which shepherds gather around the newborn figure, who lies supine at the center. The surrounding figures display a range of expressions, suggesting both reverence and emotional intimacy with the infant.

Technique & Style

The painter employs chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model forms and create spatial depth. This handling of illumination directs attention to the central figure and conveys a solemn, contemplative atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1650, the canvas entered the Museum of Ethnography’s holdings at an unspecified date. Its attribution to 851_person has been maintained in the museum’s catalogue, though further archival research may refine its provenance.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known