Adoration of the Shepherds with devotional portraits of the Boelen family

General information
Original location Amsterdam, Carthusian convent of St Andries ter Zaliger Haven (mentioned in donation register of the convent)
Current location Naples, Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte
Artist Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen
Date 1512
Material Panel
Dimensions 128 x 177 cm
Visual elements
Short description In the center: the Birth of Christ with St. Mary and Joseph praying, surrounded by angels playing musical instruments. The scene is surrounded by a Renaissance architectural structure, which visually singles out the birth of Christ and divides the whole painting into three parts. On top of the structure are angels holding guirlands. Outside it, behind the scene, are the shepherd looking in in adoration. To the viewer's left: eight male members of the Boelen family, kneeling down in veneration. Behind Jan Comen, the first of the male members, stands St Andrew. To the viewer's right: eight female members of the Boelen family, kneeling down. Behind Margriet Dirk Boelensdr. stands St Margaret. In the background a landscape with a view on sea.
Depicted pilgrim (far left, second row)
Personal information
Name Gerrit Dirksz. Boelen
Social status / profession Priest. His parents founded a chantry (6 May 1458) on St. Andrew's altar in St Catherine's church (Nieuwe Kerk) in Amsterdam, of which Gerrit was the first chantry priest; Chantry priest in St Nicholas's Church (Oude Kerk) in Amsterdam (1485)
Pilgrimages
Attributes Jerusalem pilgrimage Palm
Death
Date of death 11 December 1485
Location of grave Amsterdam, Church of St Nicholas (Oude Kerk)
Additional information
Literature
  • Bueren, T. van, Dudok van Heel, S.A.C., 'Een Amsterdams raadsel: wie is wie op de memorietafel van Margriet Boelen?,' Jacobsbode. Nieuwsbrief van de Stichting Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen 10 (2011), pp. 1-6
  • Carroll, J.L., The paintings of Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen (1472?-1533) (Ann Arbor 1987)
  • Cassani, S., Rivazio, P., Dipinti dal XIII al XVI secolo: le collezioni borboniche e post-unitarie (Naples 1999)
  • Hoogewerff, G.J., De Noord-Nederlandse schilderkunst, 5 vols. (Den Haag 1936-1947), vol. 2
  • Scholtens, H.J.J., 'Het te Napels bewaarde Kersttafereel van Jacob Cornelisz. van Oostsanen,' Oud Holland 73 (1958), pp. 198-210
MeMO ID 524
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