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The Angel appearing to the Shepherds, by Philip James de Loutherbourg, oil, 1765

Dominant colour

Overview

The Angel appearing to the Shepherds is a 1765 oil by Philip James de Loutherbourg, a Rococo painting work, held at Ashmolean Museum.

Who painted this?
Philip James de Loutherbourg
When & what style?
1765 · Rococo painting
Where can I see it?
Ashmolean Museum

About this work

The painting depicts a scene with a central figure in a red robe, surrounded by people and animals. The figure appears to be speaking to the group, with one person gesturing in response. The scene is set outdoors, with trees and a cloudy sky visible in the background. In the foreground, a group of people and animals are gathered around the central figure. The people are dressed in simple clothing, and the animals appear to be sheep or goats. The atmosphere of the scene is one of attention and interest, as the group listens to the central figure. The painting is an example of the use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth. The artist, Philip James de Loutherbourg, was known for his use of this technique in his paintings.

About the artist

Portrait of Philip James de Loutherbourg
Artist

Philip James de Loutherbourg

Philip James de Loutherbourg, RA (born Philippe Jacques de Loutherbourg; 31 October 1740 – 11 March 1812) was a French-born British painter who became known for his large naval works, his elaborate set designs for…

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