Artwork
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Adoration of the Shepherds is a print by the Renaissance artist Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1553 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1935.1
- Credit line
- Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr.
About this work
Overview
The Adoration of the Shepherds is a 1553 print by Heinrich Aldegrever, currently held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts the Nativity, with Mary, Joseph, and shepherds gathered around the infant Jesus in a stable, surrounded by calm animals. Soft light illuminates their faces and the baby's body, conveying a sense of serenity.
Technique & Style
Aldegrever's background as a goldsmith is evident in the print's delicate lines and detailed rendering of figures and halos, lending a sense of realism to the metalwork.
Context
This type of sacred scene was a common theme in 16th-century German art, with artists like Albrecht Dürer also exploring similar subjects in their engravings.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf (1502–1555, 1558 or 1561) was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
