2-914-090 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Velasquez, 1854. Painting newly acquired by the National Gallery in London, and thought at the time to be by Velázquez. It was probably painted in the 1630s. 'The Virgin Mary is represented as a simple, innocent countrywoman, proud of her high destiny, but conquering thought of self with devotional feeling towards the divine infant before whom she kneels. She partakes in the act of homage with the rudely-clad and rude-featured rustics who surround her, not pretending to engross to herself any share of their attention. By this means the whole interest is centred in the Infant Christ, who, though painted in a purely naturalesque and unaffected manner, is an admirable study; free from vulgarity, and almost suggestive by its expression of childish sense of a future important mission'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.