# The Adoration of the Shepherds

**Andrea Mantegna** (Italian, 1430–1506)  
shortly after 1450  
Tempera on canvas, transferred from wood  
Overall 15 3/4 x 21 7/8 in. (40 x 55.6 cm); painted surface 14 7/8 x 21 in. (37.8 x 53.3 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 32.130.2. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436966).

## About this work

Andrea Mantegna painted this (shortly after 1450), aged about 20. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Tempera.** Pigment bound with egg yolk. It dries in minutes and can’t be blended wet, so painters built up form with fine, hatched strokes. It was Europe’s main panel technique before oil.

### [Andrea Mantegna](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/andrea-mantegna)

Italian, 1430–1506; born in Isola di Carturo; died in Mantua

## Facts

- Type: Paintings
- The artist was about 20
- Real size: about 16 × 22 in (40 × 56 cm). The 16 × 20 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 15th century
- Subjects: Holy Family, Jesus, Adoration of the Shepherds
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1127.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1127/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/the-adoration-of-the-shepherds-met-436966).