The Adoration of the Shepherds, with the lamp

The Adoration of the Shepherds, with the lamp is a masterful print created by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn), dating from the period between 1649 and 1659. This powerful example is classified as an etching and represents the critical first of three known states, revealing the artist’s initial design intentions for the composition. Rembrandt demonstrates his technical brilliance by translating a grand religious narrative into the intimate scale achievable through graphic arts.

The work tackles the traditional Christian subject of the Adoration of the Shepherds, but it is distinguished by the dramatic illumination strategy noted in its title. The composition centers around a single, non-divine light source-a lamp or lantern held by one of the figures-which casts profound shadows and intensely highlights the faces of the figures gathered around the manger. This strategic use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the spiritual focus on the Christ Child and creates a dynamic, deeply emotional scene characteristic of Rembrandt's late style.

This impression of the print is preserved within the prestigious collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The detail and complexity evident in the etched lines confirm Rembrandt’s unparalleled status as a printmaker. His rigorous process, often documented by the existence of multiple states, ensured the widespread recognition and distribution of religious iconography such as the Adoration of the Shepherds across Europe. Today, high-quality images and prints of this seminal work often reside within the public domain, allowing for continued study of this master’s artistry.