The Adoration of the Shepherds 1650s

Editor: Here we have Jan Boeckhorst's "The Adoration of the Shepherds," painted in the 1650s. The texture created by the oil paint on canvas really gives the scene a lively feel. What strikes me is how grounded it is, not idealized. What do you see when you look at it? Curator: I see a carefully constructed representation of labor and materiality. Consider the raw, almost unidealized portrayal of the shepherds. Their garments, coarsely woven and likely made from locally sourced materials, stand in stark contrast to the fine linens one might expect in depictions of this scene. Editor: So, it's about what's literally on their backs and where it came from? Curator: Precisely. Boeckhorst emphasizes the labor involved in both their lives and in the very production of this painting. Oil paint itself is a testament to this—ground pigments, binding oils, all carefully crafted. It challenges a romanticized view of religious narrative by highlighting the means of production. Editor: How does that tie into the setting? It's not just a generic stable. Curator: Note the specific textures of the straw, the roughly hewn wood of the manger. Boeckhorst pays close attention to these tactile details. Consider the source of the painting materials: were local pigments used? Did the canvas come from nearby? Each element speaks to a specific time, place, and economy. How does understanding all that affect our reading? Editor: I see what you mean! Knowing about the creation of everything in the artwork brings another layer to interpreting its meaning. The focus on the mundane elevates the status of labor and material in how we perceive a sacred event. Curator: Exactly. It shifts the emphasis from the divine to the human, highlighting the crucial role of labor in shaping our world and our artistic expressions. It is about value - materials, art, and faith. Editor: That’s definitely given me a new way to consider paintings like this! It really changes the way you look at art. Curator: Indeed. By interrogating the materials and methods of production, we unlock new dimensions of understanding in these familiar narratives.