Adoration of the Shepherds: Upper Half c. 16th century

Giulio Romano rendered this “Adoration of the Shepherds” with pen and brown ink. The scene, bathed in humble tones, centers on the newborn Christ, surrounded by adoring shepherds. Note the shepherds' downcast gazes and clasped hands, universal gestures of reverence. These gestures carry echoes from antiquity, appearing in depictions of supplicants before gods. Think of the Roman orator, hand outstretched, a pose adopted from Greek sculpture, symbolizing humility and supplication. The motif reappears in countless Renaissance paintings, subtly shifting from pagan to Christian contexts. Consider, too, how the simple act of kneeling—a posture found across cultures—evolves from a sign of submission to a powerful expression of devotion. These inherited gestures tap into our collective memory, engaging us emotionally, forging a link between past and present. It is a visual echo resonating through time.