Who painted The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds was painted by Bramantino in 1517-01-01.

Where can I see The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is held by Rijksmuseum.

What movement is The Adoration of the Shepherds?

The Adoration of the Shepherds is associated with High Renaissance.

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.

Artwork

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Bramantino , 1517

The Adoration of the Shepherds is an oil painting by the High Renaissance artist Bramantino. It dates from 1517 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the biblical event known as the Adoration of the Shepherds, a religious subject centered on the Christ Child.

The work depicts the biblical event known as the Adoration of the Shepherds, a religious subject centered on the Christ Child. As a piece of religious art, the painting illustrates the moment shepherds pay homage to the newborn Jesus. The composition focuses specifically on the figure of the Christ Child as the main subject of veneration within the scene.

Created in 1517, the painting serves as a devotional representation of this specific episode from the Nativity narrative.

Technique & Style

The Adoration of the Shepherds is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel support. Created in 1517 by Bramantino, the work measures 50.5 cm in height and 43.5 cm in width. Classified as a religious painting, the piece depicts the Christ Child as the central subject of the shepherds' adoration. The medium and dimensions are consistent with early 16th-century panel painting practices.

History & Provenance

The Adoration of the Shepherds was created by Bramantino in 1517, executed in oil paint on panel. The work entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it is currently held. No information is available in the provided sources regarding a commission, prior ownership, or intermediate provenance prior to its acquisition by the museum.

The painting measures 50.5 cm in height by 43.5 cm in width. Its inception is recorded as 1517, with no further details on the circumstances of its creation supplied.

Overview

Bramantino’s oil on canvas, dated 1517, presents a nocturnal nativity scene titled Adoration of the Shepherds. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum collection and centers on a woman in dark blue cradling the infant Jesus, surrounded by a small group of figures within a modest stable.

Context

The work reflects the Lombard tradition of modest devotional images, aligning with contemporary trends that favored intimate, interiorized renditions of biblical narratives over grandiose public commissions. The inclusion of domestic animals and a distant landscape situates the holy event within a recognizable, everyday setting.