The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1550
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This print shows a bright angel with glowing wings and rays shooting down at a group of shepherds. The shepherds are scattered around, some sitting, some kneeling, and one lying down with sheep and a cow nearby. The scene looks like a nighttime field with trees and bushes in the background. The angel’s light seems to be the only source of brightness, making everything else look dark by comparison. The text at the top and bottom is in Latin, which was common for religious prints at the time. If you like this style, check out chiaroscuro to see how artists used light and shadow this way.
