The Adoration of the Shepherds 1569

Cornelis Cort made this engraving, "The Adoration of the Shepherds," in the Netherlands sometime in the 1570s. Though Cort was Dutch, he spent much of his career in Italy, so the artistic and religious culture there likely influenced this piece. Here, the Holy Family is shown receiving the humble adoration of the shepherds in a scene set in the countryside with a classical city in the background. Notice how Cort’s use of line directs our attention, and how the poses of the figures suggest the influence of Italian Renaissance art. The composition, which is borrowed from a painting by Taddeo Zuccaro, also suggests the significance of the Roman Catholic Church. As historians, when we consider images like this, we might ask about the place of religion in the social and political life of the time. Were traditional religious beliefs being challenged? Were new forms of religious expression emerging? To answer these questions, we might consult pamphlets, sermons, or records from institutions like the Church.