The Adoration of the Shepherds

16th century

Italian 16th Century

Associated Names
The sculpture depicts a religious scene with multiple figures, including an angelic figure holding a long banner at the top. Below the angel, there are three adults gathered around an infant lying down. One adult is kneeling near the infant, another stands and raises an arm, and a third figure is seen in motion. The statue is crafted from bronze with a dark brown, metallic hue and patina visible on the surface. The relief style of the sculpture provides a three-dimensional aspect, with figures emerging slightly from the flat background adding depth and texture. The material and style suggest a historical or classical interpretation common in religious artwork.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    medium brown bronze or copper repousse

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall (arched top): 13.8 x 10.5 cm (5 7/16 x 4 1/8 in.) gross weight: 110 gr

  • Accession Number

    1957.14.547


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1931

  • Ricci, Seymour de. The Gustave Dreyfus Collection. Reliefs and Plaquettes. Oxford, 1931. vol.II, 413.

1965

  • Pope-Hennessy, John W. Renaissance Bronzes from the Samuel H. Kress Collection: Reliefs, Plaquettes, Statuettes, Utensils and Mortars. London, 1965: no. 409.

Wikidata ID

Q63814898

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