Aanbidding door de herders 1569 - 1602

This is Cornelis Cort's engraving, "Adoration of the Shepherds," made around 1576. It depicts the newborn Christ child being adored by shepherds, under the watchful eye of Mary, while a host of angels descends from above. The central motif of adoration—figures bowing and gazing in reverence—echoes in countless artistic depictions across time and cultures, from ancient Egyptian reliefs to Renaissance paintings. The act of kneeling, seen here in the shepherds, is itself a symbol, a gesture of submission and reverence that has been used across time and cultures to convey profound respect. Think of pharaohs kneeling before gods. The convergence of divine and earthly realms in Cort's work, symbolized by the descending angels, is a potent image, evoking a shared human desire for connection with the transcendent. Such imagery touches a deep, subconscious chord, reminding us of our own search for meaning beyond the material world. This symbol resurfaces, evolved, and continues to take on new meanings, inviting viewers to partake in the collective experience of awe.