Artwork
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds is a chalk drawing by the Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Adoration of the Shepherds, a drawing by Pietro Perugino, dates to around 1517. Executed in pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper, it captures a serene scene from the Nativity.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing focuses on the Christ Child, depicted with a glowing halo, lying on straw. Accompanying figures include the Virgin Mary kneeling beside him, shepherds, and a bull, collectively conveying a moment of reverent adoration.
Technique & Style
Perugino's characteristic technique is evident in the thin, fading halo lines and the layering of brown ink over black chalk, which achieves soft, depth-suggesting shadows. The overall composition reflects his calm and restrained artistic style.
History & Provenance
While the exact provenance history is not detailed here, the work is notably part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Context
Created during the Italian Renaissance, this piece aligns with Perugino's late-period works, showcasing his continued influence in religious art themes.
Artist & collection
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene
Madonna and Child
Portrait of Lorenzo di Credi![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [right panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--7d9a2b1f47b9fc9b-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [right panel]![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [left panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--1017dec17318baa5-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [left panel]![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [middle panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--a9b4c312771e3f71-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [middle panel]
a) The Baptism of Christ; b) Draped Figure Holding a Book and Man Wielding an Ax with a Figure
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Virgin and Child with Five Saints
The Mystic Marriage of Saint Catherine
The Nativity with Saints Francis and Agnes
The Holy Family with Saint Philip Neri in Adoration, an Angel, and Putti
Holy Family with St. Elizabeth, St. John the Baptist, and Two Angels in a Landscape
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Holy Family with Saint Anne and Female Head in Profile
The Virgin and Child Surrounded by Saints and Angels
The Adoration of the Magi
The Holy Family
Virgin and Child in the Grotto (Adoration of the Magi)