The Adoration of the Shepherds

Attributed to Valerio Belli

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture depicts a scene with a group of figures gathered around a central figure of a baby lying on a cloth or cradle. A kneeling woman is prominently positioned in the foreground, facing the child, while other figures surround them, some bearing gifts or offering gestures of reverence. The background features a series of columns and arches that provide an architectural framing for the scene. The sculpture is composed of bronze, giving it a brownish color with a metallic sheen. It is executed as a relief, with the figures slightly raised from a flat background, allowing the details of their features and garments to be perceived in a more intricate manner. The fine detailing and arranged composition offer a narrative moment frozen in time, evoking a sense of depth and structure within the constraints of the rectangular panel.