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This is a drawing of an angelic figure appearing to shepherds. The angel descends from the clouds above, holding a scroll and surrounded by heavenly beings. Below the angel, a group of shepherds react to the divine apparition. One of the shepherds is pointing upwards toward the heavenly figure. The background includes a pastoral setting with sheep scattered around and an outline of buildings in the distance.
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This is a drawing of an angelic figure appearing to shepherds. The angel descends from the clouds above, holding a scroll and surrounded by heavenly beings. Below the angel, a group of shepherds react to the divine apparition. One of the shepherds is pointing upwards toward the heavenly figure. The background includes a pastoral setting with sheep scattered around and an outline of buildings in the distance.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

Annunciation to the Shepherds

Gerrit Pietersz Sweelinck

Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash, heightened with white
Dimensions
Overall: 36.4 x 26.3 cm (14 5/16 x 10 3/8 in.) support: 39 x 28.9 cm (15 3/8 x 11 3/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1984.3.62
Credit line
Julius S. Held Collection, Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Dutch
  • Life of Christ
  • religious
  • Annunciation to the Shepherds
Provenance

Antoine-Joseph Dezallier d'Argenville, Paris [1680 - 1765] (Lugt 2951); (his sale, Paris, 18 - 28 January 1779, part of lots 275, 277, or 505, as Abraham Bloemaert). Julius Held; purchased 1984 by National Gallery of Art.

Inscription

in unknown hand, across bottom: F. Bloemaert[...?]; lower left:2030; upper center verso: Coll. Crozat / no.2030; center verso: bloem aert / 589;Jan ... Pict[ersz.?];Frederick ... A.B

Marks

BS: Francois Renaud (Lugt 1042)

NGA object ID 63039. 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.