Artwork
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds is an ink print by the Baroque artist Marcantonio Bellavia. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Adoration of the Shepherds is a 1650 etching on laid paper by Marcantonio Bellavia, currently in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a scene of devotion, with a group of figures gathered around a baby (likely the infant Jesus) laid on a table, evoking a sense of reverence and wonder through varied expressions and postures (kneeling and standing).
Technique & Style
Executed in black and white etching, the work features a foreground of detailed, expressive figures set against a softer, less defined background of buildings and trees, characteristic of Baroque printmaking's contrast between focus and depth.
History & Provenance
Created in 1650 by Marcantonio Bellavia, the etching is now part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington, though specific acquisition details are not provided here.
Context
The piece aligns with the Baroque movement's emphasis on emotional intensity and dramatic composition, suggesting Bellavia's engagement with prevailing artistic trends of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Marcantonio Bellavia was a Sicilian painter and etcher active in Sicily and Rome. He moved to Rome to work under Pietro da Cortona in ca. 1668. Several of his works were later erroneously attributed to Carracci.
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
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