The Adoration of the Shepherds 1640 - 1645

Samuel van Hoogstraten created this small pen, brown ink, and wash drawing titled 'The Adoration of the Shepherds’ in the 17th century. Hoogstraten, a Dutch Golden Age painter, uses the religious scene to speak to contemporary social structures. Note how Hoogstraten positions the shepherds from varied social classes. Each figure is given individual characteristics, from their clothing to their postures. The expressions and body language of the figures underscore the emotional aspect of witnessing the newborn Christ. While the more affluent bring gifts, the poorer members of the community bring themselves, their families, and their labor to the scene. This work reflects the religious climate of the Netherlands. While the Protestant reformation sought to break the hold of the Catholic church, artists like Hoogstraten were able to interpret biblical scenes through the lens of their own cultures and social experiences. It speaks to a collective religious experience in which varied members of a community can share in a moment of profound importance.