Public domain
The adoration of the shepherds: a night piece
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
In the adjacent print, Rembrandt had some light shine around Joseph. However, the artist wanted to further enhance the stable’s nocturnal atmosphere. To achieve this, he added lines on the copper plate to intensify the darkness of the scene. Such modified prints are called states. Here, the shadow around Joseph has been reinforced, leaving only his book and the faces of Mary and Jesus softly illuminated.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineDe aanbidding der herders: nachtstuk. c. 1657. Rembrandt van Rijn. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
