The Adoration of the Shepherds

Marcellus Coffermans

ca. 1550 · Oil on wood · European Paintings

A master in the Antwerp painters' guild since 1549, Coffermans was not interested in the Italianate mannerist style of his own time, but took his inspiration primarily from the works of artists active two or three generations before him. His rendition of this subject is decidedly traditional. The arrangement of the crowded scene, with the angel’s annunciation to the shepherds depicted in the background, ultimately derives from works by Antwerp artists, such as the Master of Frankfurt. The signature MARCEL.HELMON.FE[CIT] in the lower right corner suggests that the painter came from the Brabantine city of Helmond.

Artist

Marcellus Coffermans

Date

ca. 1550

Medium

Oil on wood

Department

European Paintings

Credit line

Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917