Artwork
Adoration of the Shepherds

Adoration of the Shepherds is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Carlo Maratta. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Adoration of the Shepherds is a 1696 oil painting on canvas by Carlo Maratta, a prominent Italian Baroque artist known for his classicizing style. The work is part of the religious genre and currently resides in the State Hermitage Museum collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Christ Child surrounded by a group of adoring figures, with angels overhead, conveying a scene of wonder and devotion. The composition evokes peace and tranquility.
Technique & Style
Maratta employed chiaroscuro, leveraging strong light and dark contrasts to achieve depth and volume in the scene, characteristic of his Italian Late Baroque approach.
History & Provenance
Created in 1696 for a Roman patron (likely a prominent one, given Maratta's clientele), the painting is now part of the State Hermitage Museum's collection.
Context
As a work by Maratta, it reflects the artistic tastes of late 17th-century Rome, catering to the religious and aesthetic preferences of his elite patrons, including popes.
Legacy
While specific impact details are not provided, as part of Maratta's oeuvre, Adoration of the Shepherds contributes to the broader legacy of Italian Baroque art, particularly its religious themes and classicizing tendencies.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo Maratta or Maratti (18 May 1625 – 15 December 1713) was an Italian Baroque painter and draughtsman, active principally in Rome where he was the leading painter in the second half of the 17th century.


















