De aanbidding der herders c. 1594 - 1633

This is an anonymous engraving, titled ‘The Adoration of the Shepherds’, held at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is cleaved in two, with the earthly scene below contrasting sharply with the celestial vision above. Note how the lower half is densely populated with figures and animals rendered with tight, controlled lines, creating a palpable sense of texture. The figures cluster around the infant Jesus, their faces etched with a concerned reverence. Above, the forms dissolve into a flurry of looser, more expressive lines, giving the impression of ethereal light and movement. The angels emerge from the swirling clouds, creating a dynamic interplay between the solid and the ephemeral. This use of contrasting textures and line weights destabilizes the traditional hierarchy between the divine and the mortal, suggesting a more fluid and interconnected relationship. This visual tension is central to the engraving’s effect, prompting us to reconsider fixed notions of space, presence, and the sacred.