The Adoration of the Shepherds

Rembrandt van Rijn, c. 1657

The adoration of the shepherds has often been depicted in graphic art. Rembrandt’s version is exceptional for the extreme rendering of the nocturnal gloom in the stable. To achieve this velvety darkness, he successively reduced the light in subsequent states. In this impression, he intensified the shadow around Joseph, so that only his book and the faces of Mary and the Christ Child are still illuminated.

  • Artwork typeprint
  • Object numberRP-P-1992-14
  • Dimensionsheight 150 mm x width 199 mm
  • Physical characteristicsets, droge naald en burijn, met plaattoon

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • The Adoration of the Shepherds
    • The adoration of the shepherds: a night piece
  • Object type

  • Object number

    RP-P-1992-14

  • Catalogue reference

    • Hollstein Dutch 46-2(8)
    • Bartsch 46-2(8)
    • New Hollstein Dutch and Flemish (Rembrandt text) 300-2(11)

Creation

  • Creation

    • printmaker: Rembrandt van Rijn, Netherlands
    • after design by Rembrandt van Rijn
  • Dating

    c. 1657

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    ets, droge naald en burijn, met plaattoon

  • Dimensions

    height 150 mm x width 199 mm


This work is about

  • Subject


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