Adoration of the Shepherds. Workshop of Maarten de Vos (1532–1603)

Late 16th century, Flanders, Antwerp

Oil on copper
Presented in a handsome early frame (17th century), carved and gilded wood with a foliate pattern.
Total dimensions: 52 × 45 cm. Copper alone: 40 × 32 cm.

This *Adoration of the Shepherds* depicts the birth of Christ in a composition that is quintessentially Mannerist: the figures are arranged in a sophisticated choreography around the Child, bathed in a zenithal light. The Virgin, dressed in red and blue, leans gracefully toward the newborn, while Joseph, in an ochre and blue mantle, contemplates the scene in a meditative posture. The shepherds, with their broad and expressive gestures, convey the popular emotion before the divine miracle. In the background, a bluish landscape stretches toward the horizon, where the *Annunciation to the Shepherds* can be seen beneath a sky crossed by golden rays. The stable, set within ancient ruins, shelters the donkey and the ox, traditional symbols of Christian iconography. The vivid colours—bright reds, intense blues, turquoise greens—and the luminous contrasts enhance the refinement of the late 16th century Antwerp style.

The work belongs to the late Flemish Mannerist tradition, characterised by:
- Elongated, theatrical figures with carefully studied poses.
- A brilliant, enamel?like palette typical of the Antwerp school.
- Ruined classical architecture serving as a symbolic backdrop to Redemption.
- Multi layered narration combining the main scene with a secondary landscape.

This pictorial language, inherited from Frans Floris and the Bassano family, already foreshadows the transition toward the Rubensian Baroque.

**Maarten de Vos (1532–1603)**
A major painter of the Flemish Renaissance, Maarten de Vos trained in Antwerp and was influenced by his stay in Italy, where he absorbed the models of Veronese and Tintoretto. Upon returning to his native city, he became one of the most prolific artists of his time, producing extensive religious and mythological cycles. His workshop trained numerous painters who later became renowned, including Simon de Vos, Frans Francken II, and Cornelis de Vos, all of whom perpetuated his elegant and narrative style.

Excellent state of preservation. Sold with a certificate of expertise.