The Nativity (Adoration of the Shepherds)
Drawing on paper • Circle or Follower of Domenico Piola (Genoese, 1627–1703)
Style & Movement
Genoese Baroque / Genoese School
Medium & Technique
Black chalk, pen, brown ink, blue ink, and wash, heightened with white (gouache) on paper
Creation Period
Late 17th to early 18th century (c. 1670-1710)
Dimensions & Format
33.9 x 41.7 cm; Landscape format
Subject Description
A classical Nativity scene depicting the Adoration of the Shepherds. The Holy Family is central, with the Christ child reclining on a woven crib. On the left, a youthful Mary reclines in a compositional style reminiscent of Italian Mannerism. To the right, a group of shepherds approach, one leaning forward with a sacrificial lamb. In the background, an arched architectural structure houses an ox and donkey, while a radiant star with distinct rays emanates light from the upper right, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good. The paper substrate appears stable with some minor age-related toning and light foxing visible in the margins and background.
Estimated Market Value
$2,500 - $4,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Provenance History
Formerly from a Private Collection, UK. Likely emerged from a collection of Old Master drawings in Northern Europe or the UK during the 19th or 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the 'Casa Piola', the dominant artistic workshop in 17th-century Genoa. The work demonstrates the influence of Domenico Piola's late style, characterized by fluid, rhythmic line work and a lyrical, decorative approach to religious narratives. Such drawings were often preparatory studies for frescoes or large-scale oil paintings but were also collected as independent works of art due to their high level of finish.
Notable Features
The use of blue ink and wash is a distinctive trait of the Genoese school, used to create atmospheric depth. The clean, calligraphic pen outlines coupled with the soft 'chiaroscuro' of the wash mimics the draughtsmanship seen in Piola's 'St Sebastian' and 'Holy Family'. The architectural background suggests an awareness of classical ruins common in Baroque scenography.
Condition Issues
Evidence of mild yellowing (oxidation of paper), minor creases, and faint foxing. The heightening with white may show slight oxidation or 'greying' depending on the lead content of the pigment used.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend mounting with acid-free, archival materials and UV-protective glazing. Maintain a stable environment with 50% relative humidity to prevent further foxing. Professional surface cleaning could improve light-tone clarity.
Collector Notes
Circle or Follower of Domenico Piola, Italian 1627-1703- The Nativity; black chalk, pen, brown ink, blue ink, and wash heightened with white on paper, 33.9 x 41.7 cm. Provenance: Private Collection, UK. Note: The present work recalls the distinctive draughtsmanship of the prolific Genoese artist Piola, particularly in the use of clean, assured pen outlines to delineate the composition, which are filled in with a more delicate shading of ink and wash. Indeed, a similar approach is evident in Piola's depiction of St Sebastian which sold at Sotheby's, New York, on 27 January 2021, lot 234, and in his 'Holy Family' which was offered at Bonhams, London, on 2 October 2024, lot 186.