Who painted The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds was painted by Giuseppe Passeri in 1684.

Where can I see The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Giuseppe Passeri , 1684

The Adoration of the Shepherds is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Giuseppe Passeri. It dates from 1684 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1684, this drawing portrays the biblical Adoration of the Shepherds.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1684, this drawing portrays the biblical Adoration of the Shepherds. Executed on laid paper, the composition gathers the Virgin, infant Jesus, and a group of shepherds within a dimly lit cave. The work serves as a preparatory study, intended to be transferred and enlarged for a finished painting or fresco.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures the moment when humble shepherds kneel and stand before the newborn Christ, emphasizing themes of devotion and the revelation of divine humility. By placing the holy family in a modest setting, the image underscores the contrast between earthly poverty and spiritual richness, a common motif in Counter‑Reformation art.

Technique & Style

Passeri employed pen and brown ink, adding a brown wash to model forms and white highlights to suggest reflected light. The drawing’s quick, expressive lines convey movement, while the loose handling of wash creates atmospheric depth on the warm‑toned paper. The squared grid marks the surface for accurate scaling, reflecting Baroque workshop practices.

History & Provenance

Giuseppe Passeri, a Roman artist trained in Carlo Maratta’s studio and nephew of Giovanni Battista Passeri, produced the study as part of his work for Roman churches, notably the fresco program at Santa Caterina a Magnanapoli. The drawing remained within his workshop’s archives before entering a private collection in the early 20th century, where it is now held.

Context

The drawing belongs to the late Baroque period, when artists frequently prepared detailed cartoons for large altarpieces and frescoes. Its emphasis on dramatic gesture and chiaroscuro aligns with the period’s visual language, while the use of laid paper and transfer squares illustrates the technical processes that underpinned monumental ecclesiastical commissions.