Shepherds on Their Way to the Nativity from a Book of Hours c. 1495

Jean Poyet rendered "Shepherds on Their Way to the Nativity from a Book of Hours" on parchment around the late 15th century. The figures of the working class are captured with a certain naturalism, their garments and worn expressions indicative of their social status.   Poyet was working during a time when the divide between the wealthy elite and the working class was stark. Consider how the artist uses clothing to differentiate social classes. The clothing, or lack thereof, signify a life of manual labor versus one of leisure. How might the intended audience of this piece, likely wealthy nobles, have interpreted this depiction of the poor?   The detailed architectural background contrasted with the rough clothes of the travelers offers a glimpse into the socio-economic landscape of the time. In this moment of transit, the shepherds embark upon a path both physical and spiritual. This image encapsulates an emotional and historical moment of those on the margins of society.