The Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Artist:
El Greco (Domenikos Theotokopoulos) (Greek, Iráklion (Candia) 1540/41–1614 Toledo)
Date:
ca. 1605–10
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
56 7/8 x 39 7/8 in. (144.5 x 101.3 cm); with added strips 64 1/2 x 42 in. (163.8 x 106.7 cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit Line:
Rogers Fund, 1905

El Greco’s late work is characterized by a tendency towards abstraction and almost dance-like, restless movement. Here, the gestures of the shepherds indicate their excitement and wonder at the birth of Jesus. El Greco often made replicas or variants of important compositions and this picture—of very high quality—repeats features of a painting done for Juan de Ribera, patriarch of Antioch and archbishop of Valencia.

Provenance
Don Alfonso de Silva Fernández de Hijar y Campbell, 15th Duke of Hijar, Madrid; Don Luis de Navas, Madrid (until 1895); E. Kerr-Lawson, Scotland (from 1895); Dugal McCorkindale, Carfin Hall, Lanarkshire, Scotland (by 1899–1903; his sale, Morrison & Co., London, November 6, 1903, no. 64, as the Nativity); [Eugene Glaenzer, New York, by 1904–5; sold to MMA]

Copyright Image
https://images.metmuseum.org