The Adoration of the Shepherds

An angel had told the shepherds that their Salvator had been born nearby. Here they are the first to pay a visit to the newborn child and his earthly parents.

In paintings on this subject, the child is usually put in the center. But here the shepherds are at the center. The circle of the four figures draws attention to the child. To the left, there is much space for a glance at the landscape and the Jerusalem city walls.

Some claim that Titian is the creator of this work. He and Giorgione were contemporaries and they both worked in Venice.

It is also known as the Allendale Nativity, after a former owner.