# The Adoration of the Shepherds [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [MONTAÑÉS, Juan Martínez]() - Date: 1601-1650 - Technique: Wood ## Commentary A Baroque element gradually made its appearance in the style of Montañés, and his most beautiful works are those executed in his youth. They are also more clearly stamped with his individuality, for, as time went on, his success obliged him to make use of assistans. The Santiponce Altarpiece is his masterpiece. He signed the contract for it in 1609 and completed it in 1613. In it, carvings of different saints and various scenes from the Gospel are grouped around a statue of St. Jerome. The Adoration of the Shepherds is one of the most beautiful of his classicizing compositions, with its angels and shepherds fervently gathering around the figure of Jesus in a deep silence inspired by the mystery of the divine Infant. ## Related artworks - [Bust on a Reliquiary]() - [St Ignatius Loyola \(detail\)]() - [St Jerome]() - [St John the Baptist \(detail\)]() - [St John the Baptist]() - [The Merciful Christ \(detail\)]() - [The Merciful Christ]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()