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This is a drawing of a pastoral scene with celestial figures. The image depicts a tranquil rural setting where animals, including a cow and a sheep, are present amidst a small community. Above, there are cherubs and celestial beings in the clouds. The composition includes details such as rustic structures and forested landscapes. The line work and shading create depth, highlighting the interactions between the earthly and heavenly realms.
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This is a drawing of a pastoral scene with celestial figures. The image depicts a tranquil rural setting where animals, including a cow and a sheep, are present amidst a small community. Above, there are cherubs and celestial beings in the clouds. The composition includes details such as rustic structures and forested landscapes. The line work and shading create depth, highlighting the interactions between the earthly and heavenly realms.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Annunciation to the Shepherds

Jan Pietersz Saenredam, after Abraham Bloemaert

Date
1599
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 55.7 x 40.1 cm (21 15/16 x 15 13/16 in.) (trimmed within plate mark)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2012.92.595
Credit line
Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • New Testament
  • religious
  • engraving
Provenance

Pierre Mariette [1634-1716], Paris (Lugt 1788). Nicola Francesco Haym (Lugt 1972) or N. Hillier (Lugt 1974). George John Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer [1758-1834], Althorp (Lugt 2341a). (Etablissement pour la Diffusion et la Connaissance des Oeuvres d'Art, Monte Carlo (Artemis Fine Arts, Ltd., London)); Ruth Kainen, Washington, D.C., purchased January 11, 1985; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Inscription

below image: Dum vigiles ovium pastores cura teneret, / Angelicas cernunt caeli per inania turmas / Laudibus ob genitum caeles tem extollere Patrem. / Salvatorem orbis, talique applandere cantu: / Summa Deo in superis reddatur gloria: terras / Pax hominesque beet, quibus est syncera voluntas. / Abrahamus Bloemaert Inven. I. Saenredam sculp. / Iac. Razet divulgavit et strenuo humanijsimoque viro D. Petro Mathiae Reipubl. Amsterredam. Scabino meritijsimo amicitiae ergo D. D. ipso Natali Di. Ao. 1599 / SHS; stamped on verso: 248

Watermarks

watermark in the center of the top section, obscured by image

NGA object ID 154018. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.