Adoration of the Shepherds

Ambrogio da Fossano detto Bergognone

Download hi-res image TITLE Adoration of the Shepherds
AUTHOR Ambrogio da Fossano detto Bergognone
DATE 1480 - 5
OBJECT TYPE AND MATERIAL Oil on panel
DIMENSIONS cm 57.5 x 39.5
INVENTORY 7438
ROOM X
Work on display

The scene is accompanied by a prayer to Mary. Set before a ruined building alluding to the decline of paganism, in the presence of realistically depicted shepherds, it is inspired by Flemish models combined with Bramante’s Prevedari engraving of 1481. The young Bergognone’s somewhat stiff figures are set in a silvery atmosphere, the artist dwelling at length on thedifficulties
of pespective. We can see this in the ring of tiny angels offering a full range of different approaches to foreshortening.