Adoration of the Shepherds

Giovanni Francesco Romanelli (1610 - 1662)

Bolton Museum, Aquarium & Archive

In the centre the Christ-Child lies in a manger set in front of the ruined columns of a building. The Virgin shows Him to two shepherds who lean over a plinth to the left. To the right a third shepherd kneels, and a woman, with a child carrying a fluttering dove, comes forward; they are followed in the distance by two more shepherds, one carrying a kid and pointing the way. St Joseph stands at the back to the right of the Christ-Child, looking down at Him. Overhead two cherubs appear in a cloud carrying a scroll with the words Gloria (in) Excelsis. The strong influence of Pietro da Cortona in this painting attributed to Romanelli suggests that it is an early work before the artist had developed the calmer style generally found in his mature paintings.

• Medium: oil on canvas
• Dimensions: 132 x 179 cm
• Art Fund Grant: £200 ( Total: £1,000)
• ArtFunded in: 1963
• Vendor: Colnaghi

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