The infant Christ lying on a wooden box, the Virgin kneeling in prayer before him, Saint Joseph at left, shepherds at right, in an octagonal frame, after Reni 1783

This print, made by Jean-Baptiste Michel in the late 18th century, is an interpretation of an earlier work by Guido Reni, depicting the nativity scene. Michel lived during the Enlightenment, a time when traditional religious and social structures were being questioned. This image shows the infant Christ in humble surroundings, adored by the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and shepherds. The shepherds, often figures of the working class, are included in this holy scene. The emotional intensity is palpable. The shepherds’ wonder and the Virgin’s devotion contrasts with the cherubic innocence of the angels hovering above. Engravings like this democratized access to art. This print, "The Shepherds Offering", would have allowed wider audiences to experience the emotional and spiritual narratives of the Bible. The print invites us to reflect on the relationship between divinity and humanity and how faith is embodied in everyday lives.