Giorgione (Giorgio Barbarelli da Castelfranco, Italian, c. 1477/8–1510) - The Adoration of the Shepherds, c. 1505-10 (Oil on panel, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.) - The mysterious Giorgione left very few works at his premature death, but this one is a masterpiece of contemplation. The elderly Joseph is deep in prayer, Mary holds a pose of silent worship before the Christ child, whose hazy face appears so inward-looking. The shepherds, in their ragged clothes, are speechless and spellbound, but full of love for the baby. They are the first to arrive, the first to understand what they are seeing, before the rest of the crowd arrives. The scene is very close and intimate, against the distant Venetian landscape. Not a sheep in sight. By their humility shall you know the shepherds…