Verkondiging aan de herders Possibly 1560 - 1700

This engraving, titled "Verkondiging aan de herders," was created by Augustinus de Justis. It depicts the moment an angel announces the birth of Christ to shepherds. Made in Italy, this artwork reflects the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church. It uses the visual language of the Bible to reinforce the Church's teachings to a largely illiterate population. The artist emphasizes the divine nature of the event through dramatic light effects and the awe-struck expressions of the shepherds. The art schools of Italy provided the stylistic training, but the content of the art served a powerful religious institution. Understanding this artwork requires us to look beyond its aesthetic qualities and consider the social and religious context in which it was produced. Church records, social histories, and studies of religious iconography would all be helpful in understanding this work more deeply. The meaning of art is contingent on this context.