Title: The Adoration of the Shepherds

The Adoration of the Shepherd

about 1505, oil on panel, 35 4/5" x 43 4/5" (91 x 111cm)

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, USA

This essay attempts to describe analyse and evaluate the famous painting "The Adoration of the Shepherd" by Giorgione (originally Giorgio Barbarelli). In the following essay there will be three main sections:

1. Inventory - (WHAT")
2. Formal Analysis - (HOW")
3. Interpretation/Meaning (WHY")

a.) subject matter

b.) function/intention

c.) description

The Formal Analysis (II) will include:

a.) Pictorial Elements

i. Line

ii. Form and shape

iii. Colour

iv. Space

b.) Pictorial Elements

i. Balance

ii. Emphasis

iii. Contrast

iv. Pattern

The Interpretation/Meaning (III) will be written without any guideline points, the aim of this part will be to determine what the painter wanted to express with his piece of work and what it tells us in...