Artwork
The adoration of the shepherds (Luke 2, 15-19)
The adoration of the shepherds (Luke 2, 15-19) is a paint painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Adriaen van Stalbemt. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Adriaen van Stalbemt’s 1622 oil painting presents the biblical episode of the shepherds’ visit to the newborn Christ, as narrated in Luke 2:15‑19. Set within a dimly lit grotto, a group of modestly dressed figures surrounds a manger, their gestures conveying reverence toward the infant. The composition balances intimate devotion with a subtle suggestion of the divine presence above.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualises the moment when humble shepherds, guided by an angelic announcement, kneel before the child Jesus. Their simple attire and earnest expressions underscore themes of piety and the accessibility of salvation to ordinary people. The inclusion of distant angels and a luminous halo reinforces the notion of heavenly endorsement of the event.
Technique & Style
The overall palette is muted, emphasizing the contemplative atmosphere typical of early Flemish Baroque religious scenes.
Van Stalbemt employs pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a shaft of light to illuminate the infant and draw the viewer’s focus while the surrounding darkness creates spatial depth. The figures are rendered with restrained detail, their forms emerging from shadow with soft modeling. The overall palette is muted, emphasizing the contemplative atmosphere typical of early Flemish Baroque religious scenes.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the painting reflects van Stalbemt’s dual role as a landscape specialist and staffage painter who frequently supplied figures for collaborative works. Though originally part of a private devotional collection, the piece later entered public holdings, where it is cited as an example of the artist’s contribution to Flemish Baroque religious iconography.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen or Adriaan van Stalbemt or Adriaen van Stalbempt (12 June 1580 – 21 September 1662) was a Flemish painter and printmaker who is known for his landscapes with religious, mythological and allegorical scenes.
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds (Luke 2:16-17)