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  • Leandro Bassano (Leandro dal Ponte)
The Adoration of the Shepherds (after Jacopo Bassano)
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The Adoration of the Shepherds (after Jacopo Bassano)
This drawing is loose copy of the bottom portion of an altarpiece by Leandro?s father Jacopo Bassano. Jacopo had painted The Adoration of the Shepherds in 1568 for the church of San Giuseppe in his native town of Bassano del Grappa (it is now in the Museo Civico there). The picture quickly became one of Jacopo?s most celebrated works and was widely copied. This drawing would have been used in Jacopo?s workshop by assistants who were frequently set the task of making painted reproductions of celebrated original works by the master. Compositions were often recorded in drawings as a memory aid, and there are other existing examples of Leandro and his brothers making copies after finished paintings.

Glossary Open

Altarpiece

An artwork behind a church altar featuring religious scenes or imagery which was usually the focus for the celebration of the Mass.

Composition

The arrangement of different elements in a work of art.

Workshop

Specifically used for a group of artists or craftsmen working collaboratively, usually under the direction of a master, up to the mid-17th century. The phrase 'Workshop of?' is used to describe the origin of an artwork when the master artist had no hand in its creation.

Altarpiece, Composition, Workshop

Details

  • Acc. No. D 2232
  • Medium Black and red chalk on faded blue paper (with added strips at left and right hand margins)
  • Size 23.70 x 29.60 cm (excluding later additions)
  • Credit William Findlay Watson Bequest 1881

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