The Adoration of The Shepherds

This oil painting by an unknown artist is unusual in its use of marble as the base. The Adoration of the Shepherds appears in the Gospel of Saint Luke and is a recurring theme in Christian art. It is part of the Nativity story that occurs immediately after the birth of Christ and the Annunciation to the Shepherds. This scene is often presented opposite the Adoration of the Kings. It depicts the moment the shepherds arrive at the scene of the Nativity in Bethlehem to meet the newborn Messiah, whose arrival was announced to them by the Archangel Gabriel. The piece is Baroque and Rococo in style, and was produced in the 18th century. This can be seen from the composition; the arrangement of the figures; the treatment of the plants; the basket of flowers the young man is carrying; the figure holding bagpipes; the use of the veins in the marble to simulate cloud-like elements; and the warm color palette of oranges, yellows, and browns.