Adoration of the Shepherds

Bloemaert was one of the most prolific Dutch draftsmen of his time, working in a broad range of styles, techniques, and subject matter. In this drawing, he transforms a traditionally reticent devotional subject into a refined and bustling mannerist-style composition. The doughy faces, oversized limbs, contorted poses, and emphatically expressive gestures of the figures, which all converge on the Christ Child, point to Bloemaert’s productive engagement with mannerism in the beginning of his long career. Like many artists working in this style, Bloemaert often collaborated with printmakers, promoting reproductions of his compositions and facilitating the dissemination of his style. This drawing, which served as a model for an engraving by Jacob Matham, is a great example of the intricate and highly polished style of draftsmanship that Bloemaert developed for his studies for prints.