The adoration of the shepherds

Jan Havicksz. Steen, 1660 - 1679

Jan Steen (1626 - 1679). The Adoration of the shepherds, c. 1660.Tenderly Mary shows the newborn baby Jesus to the shepherds. They have come to the stable in great numbers, bearing all sorts of gifts. They gaze in reverence at the radiant child in the manger. The stable, in which an ox and a donkey occupy a prominent place, is shrouded in darkness. But outside, the dawn is nigh, a reference to the era heralded by the birth of Jesus. Jan Steen has transformed this biblical tale into an eminently human event. There is the same warmth and humour as in the scenes of everyday life: Joseph accepts a bowl of eggs, while on the left a child is warming up some porridge. From the collection of H. Witsen (Amsterdam), the Lord of Tabley, and others. Purchased in 1947.

  • Artwork typepainting
  • Object numberSK-A-3509
  • Dimensionsheight 53 cm x width 64 cm
  • Physical characteristicsoil on canvas

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Identification

  • Title(s)

    The adoration of the shepherds

  • Object type

  • Object number

    SK-A-3509

  • Description

    De aanbidding der herders. Een stoet herders komt de stal binnen om het kind te aanbidden. Op de voorgrond zit Maria met het Christuskind in een bak met stro. Links maakt een herdersjongen een vuur. Achter de os en de ezel geeft een oude vrouw Jozef een mand met eieren. Rechts speelt een herder op de doedelzak, daarnaast een jongen met een haan.

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Jan Havicksz. Steen

  • Dating

    1660 - 1679

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    oil on canvas

  • Dimensions

    height 53 cm x width 64 cm

This work is about

  • Subject

Acquisition and rights

  • Acquisition

    purchase 1947-11

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    Inv.;… ;sale, Dowager Lady Nunburnholme et al. [anonymous section], London (Christie’s), 31 March 1933, no. 103, 300 gns;{Copy RKD; in the catalogue, it is wrongly stated that the madonna is on the left and the ox is on the right.}…; the dealer W.M. Sabin, London, 1933;{Kirschenbaum 1977, p. 127, no. 31, 31A, 37.} from whom, £ 625, to the dealer D. A. Hoogendijk, Amsterdam, 1934;{RKD, The Hague, inv. no. 460, Kunsthandel D.A. Hoogendijk Archive, inventory card no. OS 999.} from whom, fl. 10,000, to Mr Andries Adriaan van Sandick (1898-1962), Rotterdam and Amsterdam, 1937;{RKD, The Hague, inv. no. 460, Kunsthandel D.A. Hoogendijk Archive, inventory card nr. OS 999.} from whom, fl. 23,500, to the museum, 1947

  • Remarks

    Please note that this provenance was formulated with a special focus on provenance research for the years 1933-45 and could therefore be incomplete. There may be more (mostly earlier) provenance information known in the museum. In case this item has an uncertain or incomplete provenance for the years 1933-45, the Rijksmuseum welcomes information and assistance in the investigation and clarification of the provenance of all works during that era.

Documentation

  • Pauline Kintz, 'Collectie : Een blik op Maria', Rijksmuseum Kunstkrant 32 (2006) 6, p. 20-23 (afb.).

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