Aanbidding door de herders 1863

Léopold Flameng created this etching, ‘Adoration of the Shepherds,’ during a time when religious and social norms were being both upheld and questioned. Flameng, working in late 19th-century France, engages with traditional Christian iconography through the lens of his era's artistic sensibilities. Here, the divine event is grounded in the everyday, emphasizing the humanity of the figures present. The shepherds, representing the working class, are depicted with a certain dignity, yet their humble status is clear. The choice to portray the adoration of baby Jesus by common laborers highlights a theme of inclusivity and a recognition of the inherent worth of all individuals, regardless of their social standing. What does it mean to depict a scene of reverence through the eyes of the marginalized? Flameng invites us to consider the intersection of faith, class, and the human experience. This image, while rooted in religious narrative, speaks to broader questions of social justice and the value of empathy across societal divides.