Adoration of the Shepherds
Tempera on wood, between
1650 and 1700
Ivan Honchar Museum, Ukraine

The artist is unknown, but the scene is very familiar. The young mother Mary, looking up to heaven. The older Joseph, standing guard. The tiny baby, swaddled in linen cloths in the traditional manner. A manger and stable in the countryside and a rather questionable ox and ass. Suddenly, a group of excited shepherds crowd in carrying their crooks, one doffing his hat. They point to the figure in the sky, surrounded by clouds. They are telling their amazing story. They have seen an angel who announced, ‘I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.’ Then there was a sky full of angels, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ This charming painting from 15th or 16th century Ukraine, with its reference to the angels’ proclamation, represents a prayer – not only for Ukrainians, but for the people of more than 45 countries where armed conflicts are currently raging – that their hopes for peace will be fulfilled.

Art in Focus is curated by Meryl Doney

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

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This article was published in the December 2024/January 2025 edition of Reform

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