Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Pieter van Lint (Antwerp, 1609–1690) workshop
The Adoration of the Shepherds
Oil on panel (stabilized on the back with two wooden slats) 83 x 55 cm. Framed (20th century) 93 x 66 cm.
Provenance: An old label from the Galleria Salvetti (Milan) is present on the reverse
The painting depicts one of the most moving moments of the Nativity: the adoration of the shepherds who, having been warned by an angel, go to the stable in Bethlehem to worship the newborn, aware of the momentous event unfolding before them and paying homage with their humble gifts.
The work, of excellent pictorial quality, is attributed to a painter from the workshop of the Flemish master Pieter van Lint (Antwerp, 1609–1690).
Van Lint addressed this specific theme on several occasions; the most significant versions are found in Spain, having been exported at the time through Antwerp art dealers, and are now in many museum collections, such as the Adoration at the Statens Museum for Kunst in Copenhagen (https://open.smk.dk/artwork/image/KMSsp255 ), the one at the Museo de Bellas Artes in Seville, or the one at the Church of San Ginés in Madrid.
None of these works is identical, and each is distinguished by a personalized interpretation of the scene, although they share common stylistic characteristics, blending the Flemish Baroque absorbed during Van Lint’s training in Antwerp (clearly influenced by Peter Paul Rubens) with elements of Italian Classicism, learned during his long stay in Rome between 1633 and 1640, presenting clear Correggesque reminiscences.
In 1640, after a brief stay in Paris where he likely met Nicolas Poussin, he returned to his hometown, becoming one of the leading exponents of Flemish classical Baroque. In this painting, the moment is depicted when the shepherds reach the Nativity scene: the Virgin is portrayed proudly showing her child to the group of adoring shepherds, while Saint Joseph stands apart, emphasizing his role as protector and guardian of the Holy Family, rather than a direct protagonist of the divine event.
The theatricality of the scene is enhanced by the vivid, intense, and brilliant colors, as well as by the power of the flashes of light that pierce the night setting. Amplifying this aspect is the jubilant throng of angels above the scene; some accompany the shepherds, introducing them to the presence of the Messiah and protecting them, while others at the very top playfully hold the scroll announcing the birth of the Savior.
This choice, too, is clearly inspired by the works of Rubens, whose paintings are famous for their abundance of celestial figures, cherubs, and angels that animate biblical or allegorical scenes with a sense of swirling movement.
Delevery information :
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Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
