The Adoration of the Shepherds

As pointed out by J.M. de Groot, Aelbert Cuyp en zijn familie, 1977/8, p.48, the subject was frequently treated by the artist. One is in the Dordrechts Museum, Dordrecht (J.M. de Groot, op.cit., p.9, ill.). The chiascuro effect seems to have been influenced by Rembrandt. The subdued colour scheme is characteristic while the loose brushwork has been compared with that of Adriaen Pietersz. van der Venne's grisailles. Already A. Houbraken, De Groote Schouburgh, I, pp.248/9, praised Cuyp for these brush strokes which he characterized as ruw and meesterlijk (rough and masterly).