Die Anbetung der Hirten
Moretto da Brescia·1542
Historical Context
The Adoration of the Shepherds by Moretto at the Gemaldegalerie Berlin treats the nativity with the Lombard naturalism that distinguished Brescian painting from the more coloristic Venetian tradition. Moretto's treatment emphasizes the humble circumstances of Christ's birth with quiet conviction. Moretto's Adoration of the Shepherds in Berlin brings a characteristically Brescian warmth and naturalism to a subject that invites intimate, humanized depictions of divine birth.
Technical Analysis
The nocturnal lighting of the stable scene is handled with silvery restraint characteristic of Moretto's palette. The shepherds are depicted as real working men, their rough clothing and weathered faces rendered with the observational honesty of the Brescian tradition.
