Artwork
Adoration of the Shepherds
Adoration of the Shepherds is a print by the Renaissance artist Gerardo Fontana. It dates from 1580 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Adoration of the Shepherds is a print on paper created by Gerardo Fontana around 1580, based on a composition by Polidoro da Caravaggio.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene scene of the adoration of the Christ child, with a group gathered around him, including a kneeling woman and shepherds, set against a backdrop of rocks, trees, and a distant building.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth, drawing attention to the central figures through the interplay of light and shadow, contributing to the overall calm atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The print bears the inscription 'Callistus Ferantes formis Romæ' and is identified as copy E from a print by Cornelius Cort.
Artist & collection
Artist
A Spanish printmaker in the late 1500s, Gerardo Fontana carved religious scenes onto paper.
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