ARTWORKS

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Nicolas Poussin (1594–1665)

The National Gallery, London

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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Shepherds kneel and stand in order to praise the baby Jesus, watched by Joseph and the Virgin Mary. The stone archway frames an earlier episode: the same shepherds fall over in surprise as an angel appears in the clouds to announce Christ’s birth to them. Following an old tradition in painting, Poussin paints these two scenes as if they are happening at the same time, with architecture separating the activity in the distance and foreground.

The stable is built within classical ruins, symbolising the triumph of Christianity over paganism. A young lady carries a ‘birth tray’ of fruits as a present to the new mother and cherubs holding flowers hover above. The women’s vivid blue draperies stand out against the men’s ruddy skin and the coppery stone of the building.

The National Gallery, London

London

Read more on The National Gallery, London
Title

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Date

about 1633-4

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 97.2 x W 74 cm

Accession number

NG6277

Acquisition method

Bought with a special grant and contribution from The Art Fund, 1957.

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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Artist or maker

Nicolas Poussin

1594–1665

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