Artwork
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds is an ink print by the Baroque artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:upper center in plate: Cum privil. Sa. Cae. Mts / HGoltzius Fecit / I. Matham excud. / 1615; by later hand, in brown ink: obit inte operis [not deciphered]
About this work
Overview
The Adoration of the Shepherds is an engraving on laid paper created by Hendrick Goltzius in 1615. It exemplifies the artist's technical skill and compositional complexity.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving illustrates the biblical scene of shepherds venerating the newborn Christ, a traditional subject in Christian art.
Technique & Style
Goltzius's work is marked by refined draftsmanship and elaborate detail, characteristic of Northern Mannerism, a style that emphasizes complexity and technical virtuosity.
History & Provenance
Goltzius, a German-born Dutch artist, was a prominent figure in the early Baroque period, renowned for his engravings that showcased his mastery of the medium.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds
An Old Woman at the Toilet Table
The Circumcision of Christ
Holy Family
An Old Woman at the Toilet Table
The Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple
Lot and His Daughters
France Crowned with Victory by Louis XIV
The Holy Family Adored by Angels (The Large Nativity)
Kneeling Hermit and Two Draped Figures Contemplating a Skull