Adoration of Shepherds 1420

Robert Campin painted this Adoration of the Shepherds in the early 15th century, on a wooden panel. The painting depicts the birth of Jesus Christ and it reflects the religious beliefs of the time. Campin has set the scene in his native region of Flanders, where the newly developing towns were creating wealth. The painting may be seen as a social commentary, in which the location of Christ’s birth in a simple stable is contrasted with the wealth of the rising merchant class. Campin's decision to set the Nativity in the Flemish countryside also brings the religious story closer to home for the local population, thereby making it more relatable and immediate for the new church patrons. By examining historical documents and religious texts from this era, we can better understand how the artist sought to use his work to connect with the social and cultural environment of his time. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.