Scuola fiamminga (XVIII) - L'apparizione dell'angelo ai pastori

Flemish school, 18th century
The appearance of the angel to the shepherds
Oil on panel, 54 x 69 cm
With cornice, 90 cm x 78 cm

On a dark and deep night, the somber atmosphere is suddenly illuminated by a supernatural light that pierces the darkness. At the center of this ethereal glow, a majestic angel appears, suspended on soft clouds that emit their own light. Its figure is imposing yet serene, with wide, billowy wings spread in a celebration of chiaroscuro. Its gaze is fixed on the shepherds below, with an outstretched hand in an eloquent gesture, as if conveying a divine message. The shepherds, caught by surprise, react with a mixture of wonder and reverent fear. Some are kneeling, almost prostrated by the magnificence of the vision, with hands clasped in prayer or raised in awe. Their faces, illuminated by the celestial glow, express intense emotion, a sense of sacredness that pervades the entire scene. We notice their simple clothing and humble tools of labor abandoned beside them, emphasizing their status as ordinary people chosen to witness a extraordinary event. The Flemish artist responsible for the painting demonstrates full mastery in playing with contrasts of light and shadow, aligning with the leading masters working north of the Alps during that period. The enveloping darkness of the night landscape further highlights the intense luminosity emanating from the angelic figure and surrounding clouds, creating a mystical and transcendent atmosphere. Small angels, almost luminous cherubs, float around the main figure, adding a touch of grace and dynamism to the composition. The surrounding landscape is barely sketched, with a few dark trees silhouetted against the night sky, focusing the viewer’s attention on the miraculous event in the foreground. The sacred silence of the night is only broken by the visual power of the angelic apparition. This painting captures a moment of Epiphany, a divine intrusion into the earthly world, with a typically Baroque sensibility, rich in drama and pathos. The artist’s skill in depicting the human reaction to the supernatural and the majesty of the angelic figure makes this work an effective visual narration of one of the most significant episodes of Catholic tradition—the angel’s announcement to the shepherds of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem.

The frame is provided as a gift, therefore it cannot be grounds for return or complaint.

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