Annunciation to the Shepherds
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Leo Wallerstein
Accession Number
1950-131-146
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn's *Annunciation to the Shepherd* (1634) captures a pivotal moment from the Gospel of Luke, where angels herald the birth of Christ to shepherds in the fields. Created during Rembrandt's early years in Amsterdam, amid the Dutch Golden Age, this work reflects the artist's burgeoning mastery of dramatic biblical narratives. At just 28, Rembrandt was already renowned for infusing religious scenes with profound human emotion, drawing from his Protestant context while evoking universal wonder. Rembrandt's Baroque style shines through in his innovative use of chiaroscuro—...