Aanbidding der herders c. 1652

Gesina ter Borch created this watercolor and pen drawing, "Adoration of the Shepherds," sometime in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch, a Dutch artist, lived in a time and place where women had limited access to formal art training, yet she achieved considerable skill, primarily working within her family's artistic circle. Here, the traditional biblical scene is re-envisioned through the lens of ter Borch's cultural context and personal experience. The shepherds, rendered with earthy realism, gather in humble reverence, with a woman kneeling in prayer. The presence of both text and image is an eloquent commentary on the convergence of the literary and the visual in conveying spiritual narratives. Ter Borch infuses this traditional scene with an emotional depth that reflects the intimate, domestic sphere in which she lived and worked. Through her art, ter Borch offers a glimpse into the spiritual and social fabric of her time, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersection of faith, gender, and artistic expression in the 17th century.