The Adoration of the Shepherds 

Luca Giordano’s ‘The Adoration of the Shepherds’ is a Baroque painting made with oil on canvas. Giordano handles the oil paint with virtuosity. Notice how the fluid brushstrokes blend light and shadow to create a sense of drama and depth. The layering of paint gives the figures a tangible presence, while the artist's mastery is evident in the way he captures the textures of fabric, skin, and the rough garments of the shepherds. Oil paint, since its popularization in the Renaissance, has often been associated with wealth and patronage. The material lends itself to detailed, polished surfaces that can convey status and power. In this case, it's put to the service of a humble scene. The painting invites us to reflect on the relationship between labor, social class, and divine grace. Giordano elevates the everyday lives of shepherds, presenting them as worthy of divine encounter. This challenges traditional hierarchies and highlights the dignity of ordinary people. The painting prompts us to consider how materials, techniques, and artistic choices can shape our understanding of labor, class, and spirituality.