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The Adoration of the Shepherds

A work made of engraving on paper.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of engraving on paper.

Date:

c. 1520

Artist:

Master HFE
Italian, early 16th century

About this artwork

Still unidentified by name, the 16th-century artist known as Master H. E. signed his curiously themed prints with an H. E. monogram. The Master H. E.’s Adoration of the Shepherds is an unusually windblown and eerie envisioning of the scene, set in an architectural framework more reminiscent of a ruined temple than a stable. The awestruck shepherds, the restless farm animals, and the harsh sun work together to suggest that the prints’ viewers as well are witnessing a momentous historical event, one tinged here with a hint of the supernatural.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Prints and Drawings

Artist

Master H.E.

Title

The Adoration of the Shepherds

Place

Italy (Artist's nationality:)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1515–1525

Medium

Engraving on paper

Dimensions

30.7 × 22.8 cm (12 1/8 × 9 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr.

Reference Number

1956.1028

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/4325/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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