Birth of Christ
ca 1657
Often titled 'The Adoration of the Shepherds', this late masterpiece by Poussin captures a surprisingly human moment of panic. While Mary gazes lovingly at the infant Jesus, Joseph stands behind her looking utterly overwhelmed—hand on his head, gesturing wildly as if asking, 'What do we do now?' Painted in 1657, this piece breaks from the artist's usual strict, orderly style to show raw emotion and loose brushwork. The deep blue cloth under the baby pops against the dark, rustic stable, drawing your eye right to the center of the chaos.
- Technique
- Oil on canvas
- Material
- Oil paint
- Dimensions
- 97.2 cm x 83.2 cm
Location: National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
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