The Adoration of the Shepherds c. 1590 - 1600

Paulus van Vianen created this silver relief of the Adoration of the Shepherds in the early 17th century. Note the shepherds, common men, gathered in reverence around the newborn Christ, a humble scene charged with symbolic weight. Consider the shepherds' crooks: ancient symbols of guidance and care, echoing pagan images of Hermes, the protector of flocks, and how such symbols are later adapted into Christian iconography. The shepherds gesture towards the infant, linking gestures of reverence across cultures, from ancient Roman orators to Byzantine religious figures. This gesture speaks to the powerful need to express devotion, a need that transcends time. Above, angels bear witness, their presence a celestial chorus. These figures connect to the motifs found in ancient art where winged figures bridge the gap between the divine and mortal realms. It’s a visual echo of humanity’s long-standing fascination with the heavens. These evolving motifs tap into our collective unconscious and stir deep emotional responses, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human experience.