The Adoration of the Shepherds with the Christ Child at center and angels above 1570 - 1600

This etching by Italian artist Cherubino Alberti, dating from the late 16th century, depicts the biblical story of the "Adoration of the Shepherds." The image portrays the shepherds' awe as they kneel before the infant Christ, illuminated by a radiant light emanating from a host of angels in the heavens above. This artwork, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, exemplifies Alberti's mastery of etching techniques, capturing the drama and emotion of the biblical event with precision and detail. The dynamic composition and the interplay of light and shadow add to the impactful depiction of this pivotal moment in Christian tradition.