The Adoration of the Shepherds (Cartoon) 1500 - 1600

This anonymous "cartoon" (a full-scale drawing for a larger painting) from the early 16th century depicts the biblical event of the Adoration of the Shepherds. The scene, set in a rustic landscape, shows the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the newborn Christ child surrounded by shepherds who have come to worship him. The artist has used warm, earthy tones to create a sense of intimacy and reverence, and the depiction of the angels in the upper corners adds a sense of divine presence. The "Adoration of the Shepherds (Cartoon)" can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City, NY.