Artwork

The Adoration of the Shepherds with Saint Catherine of Alexandria

The Adoration of the Shepherds with Saint Catherine of Alexandria is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Cigoli. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

Shepherds are present in reverence, accompanied by sheep, which symbolize the Christian faithful and Christ's future sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

The artwork combines the Nativity with hagiographic veneration. Its primary subject is the Adoration of the Shepherds, depicting the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, and Joseph. Shepherds are present in reverence, accompanied by sheep, which symbolize the Christian faithful and Christ's future sacrifice as the Lamb of God.

An angel is also depicted, signifying the divine annunciation to the shepherds. Uniting two narratives, Saint Catherine of Alexandria is included, embodying intellectual devotion and mystical union with Christ. This juxtaposition emphasizes the accessibility of the newborn savior to both humble laborers and learned saints, reinforcing themes of universal salvation and divine revelation.

Technique & Style

Executed in 1600, this religious painting by Cigoli (Ludovico Cardi) utilizes oil paint applied to a canvas support. The work is characterized by its substantial scale, measuring approximately 308.3 cm in height and 193.7 cm in width. As a large-format altarpiece, the composition depicts the Adoration of the Shepherds alongside Saint Catherine of Alexandria, integrating figures such as the Christ Child, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, angels, and sheep within the scene.

The selection of oil on canvas reflects standard practice for monumental religious works of the late sixteenth century, allowing for the detailed rendering of complex figural groups and narrative elements.

History & Provenance

The Adoration of the Shepherds with Saint Catherine of Alexandria is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The provided sources do not specify an inventory or accession number for the painting, nor do they record any details regarding its exhibition history.

Overview

This oil painting, titled The Adoration of the Shepherds with Saint Catherine of Alexandria, presents a devotional scene centered on a newborn child. The composition draws viewers into a moment of quiet reverence, where figures are gathered around the infant. The artwork's muted palette and dramatic lighting contribute to an atmosphere of profound contemplation, inviting reflection on the sacred event depicted.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Cigoli

Lodovico or Ludovico Cardi (21 September 1559 – 8 June 1613), also known as Cigoli, was an Italian painter and architect of the late Mannerist and early Baroque period, trained and active in his early career in…