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The Adoration of the Shepherds

1720–21
Not on view
In this compositional drawing for an altarpiece, a dazzling array of marks and swirling lines expresses the awe that belies the quiet nativity scene. A soothing light, rendered with soft touches of white chalk, emanates from the newborn Christ Child.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: The Adoration of the Shepherds
  • Artist: François Le Moyne (French, Paris 1688–1737 Paris)
  • Date: 1720–21
  • Medium: Black chalk heightened with white on blue paper.
  • Dimensions: 16 3/4 x 8 in. (42.5 x 20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Rogers Fund, 1961
  • Object Number: 61.130.5
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
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View of Rome, François Le Moyne French, Red chalk
View of Rome
François Le Moyne
1724
Standing Male Nude Seen from Below, François Le Moyne French, Black chalk, stumping, heightened with white, on beige paper. Framing lines in pen and brown ink.
Standing Male Nude Seen from Below
François Le Moyne
ca. 1730
Alexander and Porus, François Le Moyne French, Brush and brown wash, heightened with white, over black chalk, on blue paper. All four in curved corners have been filled in.
Alexander and Porus
François Le Moyne
early 18th century
Putti Supporting a Garland, François Le Moyne French, Black chalk on blue paper; framing lines in pen and brown ink. A vertical strip measuring .6 cm has been added at right.
Putti Supporting a Garland
François Le Moyne
early 18th century
Head of a Bearded Man in Profile to Left, François Le Moyne French, Pastel on brown paper
Head of a Bearded Man in Profile to Left
François Le Moyne
early 18th century

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