The Adoration of the Shepherds c. 1615

Editor: Here we have Bernardo Strozzi's drawing, "The Adoration of the Shepherds," a flurry of pen strokes capturing a scene of hushed reverence. The figures seem to spill out of the frame! What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: It feels like a whispered secret, doesn't it? Strozzi's use of line is almost feverish, suggesting a raw, immediate response to the divine. Do you see the little mouse down there? A subtle reminder of the humble setting of this monumental event. A touch of realism grounded in spirituality, perhaps? Editor: The mouse is an unexpected detail! So, it's like he's bringing the grand narrative down to earth? Curator: Precisely! It’s a reminder that even in the most sacred moments, life, in all its messy, ordinary glory, persists. It personalizes the experience, allows us to find ourselves in the scene. Editor: I never would have considered the mouse in that way. I see the drawing with new eyes!