Adoration of the Shepherds Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

Description of Peter Rubens’ painting The Adoration of the Shepherds

Rubens’ painting was the final sketch for the grand altarpiece. This creation is characterized by a particular tone of reddish color. Also worth noting is the loose texture of the painter’s masterful brushstrokes.

One can feel the influence of the painting of Venice on Rubens. For later works of the artist, this manner was no longer characteristic.

Rubens creates his picture on the basis of the famous masterpiece Correggio. The painter’s influence can be felt in the special dynamics and special transfer of emotions of the images that Rubens creates. The painter also adopts the organization of the painting in the form of two tiers.

At the top we see the angels soaring carefree. At the bottom we see shepherds, as well as the Virgin Mary herself. She is leaning over the manger in which Christ sleeps peacefully. The peasant types are incredibly peculiar. The lighting is special. Rubens seems to deliberately take the figures out of the darkness.

Rubens manages to create the most vivid images. He takes a gospel subject. But at the same time the heroes of his paintings are as alive as possible. Brown tones predominate in this creation. The central figures the artist highlights with the help of bright outfits. Blue, red and white are as if plucked by the artist from the darkness specifically to create certain accents.

Each stroke of Rubens’ brushstroke is incredibly three-dimensional. His canvas is incredibly spiritual. It is filled with a cheerful mood and the artist’s own particular perception of the world.

Rubens - a true master, who managed to get away from the religiousness of the subject. His canvas wants to consider to infinity. Every detail here is important.

With its help, the artist creates a special color. The viewer feels the special joy of the artist. He witnesses an incredibly moving scene, he wants to share his feelings with all of us.