Aanbidding door de herders after 1568

This print, *Aanbidding door de herders*, of unknown date, is by an anonymous artist and etched into metal. The composition swirls with a bacchanalian energy, featuring a chariot pulled by a horned satyr. The bodies of the cherubic figures are rendered with intricate detail, their forms plump and dynamic. The subject, an 'adoration by shepherds', unravels under scrutiny, revealing an allegory of earthly indulgence. The satyr, a figure of myth and instinct, pulls the revelers forward, suggesting an unrestrained pursuit of pleasure. The chariot itself is adorned with animalistic motifs—a boar’s head and monstrous faces—visual metaphors for wild impulses. Each carefully placed line contributes to a sense of controlled chaos, typical of baroque sensibilities. The print challenges fixed meanings, it invites us to consider how deeply ingrained are these cultural codes within the fabric of artistic expression.