Aanbidding door de herders 1616 - 1657

Paulus Pontius created this monochrome work, Aanbidding door de herders, a print, sometime between 1603 and 1658. The print illustrates the adoration of the newborn Jesus by the shepherds. Prints like this one played an important role in disseminating religious imagery during the period of the Counter-Reformation. Consider the social and political context of the 17th century. The Catholic Church sought to reaffirm its authority through emotional and awe-inspiring depictions of biblical scenes. In this print, we see the Virgin Mary presented as both divine and human. The shepherds, often marginalized figures, are brought into the fold, reinforcing the inclusive nature of Christian salvation. The composition draws the viewer into a moment of intimate reverence. The presence of angels above, and the humble animals below, blurs the boundaries between the earthly and the divine. Through this intersection of heaven and earth, Pontius captures the profound, yet personal, nature of faith.