The Adoration of the Shepherds (1505 – 1510) by Giorgione

The Adoration of the Shepherds - Giorgione - 1505 - 1510

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Artwork Information

TitleThe Adoration of the Shepherds
ArtistGiorgione
Date1505 - 1510
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions90.8 x 110.5 cm
Art MovementHigh Renaissance
Current LocationNational Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, US

About The Adoration of the Shepherds

The artwork “The Adoration of the Shepherds” by Giorgione, created during the period 1505 to 1510, is an exquisite example of the High Renaissance art movement. Painted with oil on canvas, it measures 90.8 x 110.5 cm and portrays a religious scene. The piece is currently housed in the National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, DC, United States.

“The Adoration of the Shepherds” masterfully depicts a serene and intimate moment, as shepherds arrive to pay homage to the newborn Jesus. In the artwork, a grouping of figures is harmoniously integrated into a tranquil landscape setting. The Virgin Mary, draped in rich blue, is seated gracefully to the right, gazing downward with an expression of contemplation at the Christ Child lying on the ground, veiled in a warm, softly illuminated glow. Adjoined to Mary, a venerable shepherd is shown kneeling in reverence, his hands clasped in prayer, embodying a profound devotion.

To the left, another shepherd approaches with a subdued yet pensive countenance, his cloak billowing behind him, indicating movement and life within the stillness. The shepherds’ humble attire contrasts with the celestial atmosphere surrounding the holy infant, subtly emphasizing the dichotomy between the earthly and the divine.

The background reveals a rural landscape fading into the horizon, where the tranquility of a rustic village, with its simple dwellings and rolling hills, intersects with the holy event. The meticulous rendering of nature, from the lush trees to the crisp, distant mountains, reflects Giorgione’s affinity for integrating figures into a coherent and atmospherically charged environment. True to the High Renaissance style, the composition balances the human narrative with the grandeur of the natural world, inviting the viewer into a contemplative state through its detailed figures and entrancing backdrop.

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