Adoration of the Shepherds (detail of Mary and the Christ-child) by Agnolo Bronzino (1539-47)
Sixteenth-century art in Florence was shaped by the taste of the Medici rulers. Agnolo Bronzino became a favourite artist of this elegant and sophisticated court. His oil painting on panel depicts the scene of the Nativity with a refinement and taste for luxury that finds expression in gem-like colours and impossibly elegant, idealised figures, whose poses seem almost frozen. Despite this rather crowded composition, our attention is drawn to the Christ-child and his mother. Adoring figures including shepherds and angels direct our gaze to the centre where we find the tiny figure of the Christ-child. Through poses that range from Mary’s prayerful gesture to the rapt attention of the shepherd at our right, all those present acknowledge the mystery of the birth of Jesus as a sign of God’s gift to humanity. Even the shepherds conversing amongst themselves seem subdued by the event. The bag-pipe that the shepherd holds was traditionally associated with the rough-and-tumble world of those on the margins of society such as shepherds. For as we know from the accounts in the gospels, the message of Christ’s birth and saving mission was announced equally to those at the edge of society as well as the educated and well-connected.
Related Links
- VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Download the 2016 Art Guide (PDF) Resource
- Watch/Listen to the complete 2016 Art Guide