Hugo van der Goes. Kerstverhaal. Aanbidding der Herders Detail, centraal

The scene shows the Virgin Mary kneeling beside the infant Christ, who is swaddled in cloth, within a dimly lit stable. Shepherds in simple, weather‑worn garments gather around, their expressions conveying awe and reverence. The composition emphasizes the humble circumstances of the birth and the spiritual significance recognized by ordinary witnesses.

Van der Goes employs the meticulous oil‑painting methods characteristic of the Flemish Primitive school, building colour through successive translucent layers. The chiaroscuro effect— a single shaft of light illuminating the figures—creates a tangible sense of illumination, enhancing the three‑dimensionality of the figures and the tactile quality of their garments.

The fragment was recorded in the collections of the University of Leuven’s glass‑slide archive between 1839 and 1939, though the original photographer remains unidentified. It later entered the holdings of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, where it is currently displayed as part of their 15th‑century religious art holdings.

Created during the late Gothic period in the Low Countries, the work reflects the devotional focus on intimate, humanized depictions of biblical events. Van der Goes, a leading figure among the Flemish Primitives, contributed to a shift toward naturalistic representation and emotional engagement in religious painting.