The Annunciation to the Shepherds by Rembrandt van Rijn

The Annunciation to the Shepherds c. 1650

drawing, ink, pen

drawing

toned paper

light pencil work

quirky sketch

baroque

pencil sketch

landscape

personal sketchbook

ink

ink drawing experimentation

pen-ink sketch

sketchbook drawing

pen

pencil work

genre-painting

sketchbook art

"The Annunciation to the Shepherds" is a pen drawing by Rembrandt van Rijn, dating back to around 1650. The drawing depicts the biblical story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to the shepherds to announce the birth of Jesus. Rembrandt, known for his masterful use of light and shadow, captures the awe and wonder of the event. This drawing, now part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is a striking example of Rembrandt's skill in capturing both human emotion and divine presence.

Comments

rijksmuseum over 1 year ago

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More than fifteen years after the etched Annunciation to the Shepherds, Rembrandt revisited the theme. The drawing is considerably more austere, but the emotions are still as intense as in the 1634 etching: people and animals are startled by the heavenly apparition. The shepherd at left seems to hesitate between running away and listening. A cow flees on unsteady legs and the sheep begin to scatter.