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Luca Signorelli, 'The Adoration of the Shepherds', about 1496

About the work

Overview

The focus of this large altarpiece is the tiny infant Christ – he lies on the ground, his head supported by a small cushion. His mother, the Virgin Mary, kneels behind him, surrounded by angels. Also gathered in worship are Mary’s husband Joseph and, to the left, four shepherds.

The shepherds appear only in the Gospel of Luke, which describes how they saw a vision of the angel of the Lord who told them the news of Christ’s birth. Signorelli has depicted this event on the hillside to the left of the picture.

Drawing was an important part of Signorelli’s artistic process and he planned his paintings with careful preparatory studies. A study for the group of shepherds (British Museum, London) is covered with a grid, probably to help the artist copy it to scale for the painting.

Key facts

Details

Full title
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Artist dates
about 1440/50 - 1523
Date made
about 1496
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
215 × 170.2 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Bought, 1882
Inventory number
NG1133
Location
Room 10
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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