Aanbidding door de herders 1598 - 1618

Editor: Here we have Jan Collaert II’s “Adoration of the Shepherds,” created sometime between 1598 and 1618. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum, a pen and ink drawing, and something about the strong linear quality gives it the feeling of a comic or story board panel. What draws your attention when you look at this image? Curator: Immediately, I’m drawn to the recurring symbolic motifs. Consider the shepherds: they appear in countless Adoration scenes, signifying the humble and immediate recognition of Christ's divinity among the common people. Editor: Yes, their expressions seem earnest, even a bit awestruck. Curator: Precisely! Their unrefined appearances also invite contemplation on the divine embracing the mundane. Note the light emanating from the Christ child, set against the darkness in the architecture; do you feel that juxtaposition is effective? Editor: Definitely, that contrast emphasizes the importance of the infant, visually and symbolically. I also notice the dog; what does the dog signify? Curator: Often the dog symbolizes fidelity, guarding the sacred space of the nativity. Dogs also serve as reminders of pastoral life and echo the Good Shepherd motif frequently associated with Christ himself. It creates a powerful connection to familiar themes and their enduring relevance. Editor: I didn’t notice the ox and donkey until now! It’s interesting to see all those figures crammed into the composition. Curator: These figures echo earlier Adoration scenes. Together, all the elements are building a complex tapestry of faith and familiarity, woven across generations of Christian artistic expression. Editor: That’s a fascinating way to see how history lives within the image. It's incredible how much a single image can communicate. Curator: Indeed! Symbols have an amazing way of carrying stories across centuries.