Artwork
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Ludovico Mazzolino. It dates from 1520 and is held in the collection of the Uffizi Gallery.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1520 by Ludovico Mazzolino, an Italian painter active in Ferrara and Bologna, this oil on canvas presents a quiet moment from the biblical narrative of the shepherds’ homage to the newborn Christ. The composition is now part of the Uffizi Gallery’s collection, where it remains on display as an example of early 16th‑century religious art.
Subject & Meaning
The central group gathers around a swaddled infant, identified as the Christ Child, attended by the Virgin Mary, a young boy, and a woman in a long robe. Their attentive postures convey reverence, while the presence of shepherds alludes to the humble witnesses of the Nativity. The scene emphasizes devotion and the theological theme of divine revelation to ordinary people.
Technique & Style
Mazzolino employs oil paint to achieve a subtle chiaroscuro, using deep shadows in the background to make the illuminated figures stand out. The soft modeling of forms and the slightly elongated proportions reflect the emerging Mannerist sensibility, while the delicate handling of light on cloth and flesh adds a sense of volume and intimacy to the tableau.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the work entered the artistic market of northern Italy before eventually being acquired by the Uffizi Gallery. The painting has been documented in the museum’s inventories since the 18th century, confirming its continuous presence in the Florentine collection and its attribution to Mazzolino throughout scholarly records.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ludovico Mazzolino (1480 – c. 1528) - also known as Mazzolini da Ferrara, Lodovico Ferraresa, and Il Ferrarese - was an Italian Renaissance painter active in Ferrara and Bologna.
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
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The Adoration of the Shepherds
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Holy Family with a Shepherd
The Virgin Mary in Glory
Adoration of the Magi with Saint Helena