The Adoration of the Shepherds 1495 - 1555

Marcantonio Raimondi’s engraving presents the Adoration of the Shepherds. The scene is dominated by symbols of humility and divinity: the newborn Christ lies in a manger, the shepherds kneel in reverence, and angels herald from above. Consider the motif of the kneeling figure. Throughout history, this posture signifies submission and respect, seen in ancient Egyptian art with pharaohs before their gods, and recurring in Renaissance paintings of donors before the Virgin. This gesture taps into a collective memory, a subconscious understanding of deference. The star above, a beacon of divine guidance, echoes through time. From the Star of Bethlehem to celestial symbols in ancient Mesopotamian art, the star represents destiny and enlightenment. Its recurring presence is no mere coincidence; it speaks to a shared human quest for meaning. These symbols, potent and enduring, engage us on a deep, subconscious level. They are not static but cyclical, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings as they journey through history.