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The Adoration of the Shepherds

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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The Virgin lifts the white cloth covering the manger to reveal the newborn Jesus. The shepherds fall to their knees in adoration. One respectfully takes off his hat while another holds down the trussed lamb he has brought. A goat, ox and ass also gaze in wonder, as the first glimmers of dawn appear on the horizon.

The thatched wooden stable is built in the ruins of a classical building with huge stone columns. This symbolises the end of the old pagan order and the beginning of the new Christian era. The scene is illuminated by the bright light that radiates from the infant Christ himself.

A little shepherd boy with bare buttocks sits on the stone steps blowing on a burning stick. This glowing ember forms a third light source in the painting but it is much fainter than the light coming from Christ.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Date

about 1600-25

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 65.4 x W 91.8 cm

Accession number

NG1858

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by Sir John May, 1847

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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