Artwork

The Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Antonio de Lanchares, oil, 1612
The Adoration of the Shepherds, by Antonio de Lanchares, oil, 1612

The Adoration of the Shepherds is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Antonio de Lanchares. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the biblical scene of the Adoration of the Shepherds, a religious narrative centered on the Christ Child.

The work depicts the biblical scene of the Adoration of the Shepherds, a religious narrative centered on the Christ Child. As a piece of religious art, the painting illustrates the moment shepherds arrive to worship the newborn Jesus. The composition focuses on the infant as the main subject, capturing the reverence of the figures surrounding him.

Created in 1612, the oil painting serves as a devotional representation of this specific event from the Nativity story.

Technique & Style

Antonio de Lanchares executed The Adoration of the Shepherds in 1612 using oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work measures 218 cm in height and 162 cm in width, classifying it as a substantial religious painting. As a religious artwork, the piece formally depicts the adoration of the shepherds and centers on the Christ Child.

The medium and scale are consistent with the monumental devotional paintings of the early 17th century Spanish tradition.

History & Provenance

Antonio de Lanchares' 1612 oil painting, The Adoration of the Shepherds, is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid. The work is cataloged within the museum's holdings as a religious canvas depicting the adoration of the shepherds and the Christ Child. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available records, though the piece is identified as a creation by the artist from the early 17th century. The provided sources do not contain details regarding a specific exhibition history for this work.

Legacy

The Adoration of the Shepherds by Antonio de Lanchares, painted in 1612, has been recognized for its devotional intensity and compositional clarity within Spanish Baroque religious art. Its presence in the Museo del Prado has contributed to scholarly discussions of 17th-century Spanish painting, though its influence on later artists remains limited compared to more widely circulated works of the period. The painting continues to be studied as part of the evolution of Nativity imagery in Iberian art.

Overview

Antonio de Lanchares, a Spanish painter active in early 17th‑century Madrid, completed the oil painting The Adoration of the Shepherds in 1612. The work, now held by the Museo del Prado, presents a nocturnal Nativity scene in the manner of early Baroque Italian religious imagery.

Context

The painting reflects the diffusion of Italian Baroque motifs into Spanish art during the early 1600s, a period when religious subjects were favored by ecclesiastical patrons. Lanchares’ limited oeuvre demonstrates the cross‑cultural artistic currents shaping Madrid’s visual culture at the time.

The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds, Francesco Fontebasso

Artist & collection

Artist

Antonio de Lanchares

Antonio de Lanchares (1586/1590 – 1630/1640) was a Spanish painter, active during the Baroque period, mainly in Madrid and surrounding towns.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds was painted by Antonio de Lanchares in 1612.

Where can I see The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is associated with Early Baroque Italian.

Can I buy a print of The Adoration of the Shepherds?

Museum-quality prints of The Adoration of the Shepherds are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.