Adoration of the Shepherds

The "Adoration of the Shepherds" and its counterpart "Adoration of the three Magi" are classed as belonging to Subleyras’ early work, dating from around 1716. The artist grew up in Uzès, where he was presumably trained by his father, and lived around 1716 in Carcassone before going to Toulouse in 1717 to complete an apprenticeship with Antoine Rivalz. He returned to Uzès around 1720-22. "And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger." (Luke 2, 16) Here Mary is holding the newborn Jesus in a white cloth on her lap; she is flanked by Joseph and an angel. Behind them, angels on clouds observe proceedings. The radiance emanating from Jesus lights the night scene, so that the back of the young kneeling shepherd is in shadow. As a repoussoir figure, he guides the eye into the central subject. His gesture – as that of the older shepherd and the posture of the young servant girl – bespeaks their deep emotion.

Ducke Astrid: Pierre Subleyras, Adoration of the Shepherds, in: Ducke Astrid, Habersatter Thomas (Hrsg./Edi.): von | from 0 auf | to 100. Residenzgalerie Salzburg 1923-2023. Salzburg 2023, S./p. 214-215