Adoration of the Shepherds (detail) 1620

This detail from "Adoration of the Shepherds" is by Juan Bautista Maíno, who lived in Spain from 1581 to 1649, and was made with oil paint on canvas. The smooth surface gives a sense of intimacy, drawing the viewer into the scene. Maíno creates the figures, drapery, and still life of the manger using traditional oil painting techniques. But it is what he chooses to depict that gives the work its resonance. The artist's meticulous rendering of the straw-filled manger, and the roughly hewn timbers supporting the hay create a humble setting for this scene. The choice of such everyday materials adds a layer of social commentary, emphasizing the humble origins of the holy family, and the importance of the working classes in the Christian narrative. By focusing on the inherent qualities of these materials, and the labor associated with their production, Maíno elevates the status of the everyday, and connects the spiritual with the material world.