Adoration of the Shepherds c. 15th century

Curator: The sharp lines and careful detail in this anonymous "Adoration of the Shepherds" give it a sense of reverence. Editor: Yes, it’s incredibly intimate. Look at how the artist highlights the material poverty of the shepherds juxtaposed with the wealth and divine status of the baby Jesus. Curator: The medium itself, likely woodcut, speaks to that. Woodcuts were more accessible, a means of producing images for a wider audience than, say, illuminated manuscripts. Editor: Absolutely, this print flattens hierarchies of wealth and status, portraying the divine intersecting with the mundane lives of laborers, engaging ideas of radical love. Notice how the clothing of each figure is carefully inscribed with textures and patterns. Curator: And observe how the architectural elements frame the central scene, adding a layer of constructed space, emphasizing the man-made aspect of even sacred narratives. Editor: A powerful commentary on the relationship between faith, labor, and social structures. Curator: Indeed, an intersection of the divine and the material world, captured through deliberate means of production. Editor: I hadn't considered how the piece uses imagery to give the viewer a new perspective on the role of divinity in society.