The Adoration of the Shepherds 1501

Pinturicchio painted this ‘Adoration of the Shepherds’ in Italy, probably around the turn of the sixteenth century. The scene represents a key moment in Christian history when the infant Jesus was visited by humble shepherds. The image creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. The shepherds, on the left, are clearly lower class. The ruined building behind the holy family is a traditional symbol of the old order, superseded by Christianity. On the upper left of the painting a procession of people is arriving, perhaps the Magi, following the star in the east. Above the stable, a choir of angels sings God’s praises. This painting is a reminder that our understanding of it depends on understanding its original social and institutional context. Art historians consult a range of sources – from church records to contemporary writings – to help us understand the world that this painting reflects and addresses. It serves as a window into the hopes and beliefs of its time.