The Nativity

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs The Nativity as painting (Flanders, Bruges · c. 1485–90).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

The nativity was one of the most frequently depicted subjects in western art. The event marks the entrance of Christ into the world and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

FamiliarWeird

A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this painting as oil on wood panel and credits Gerard David (Netherlandish, 1450/60–1523).

The museum's collection notes: The nativity was one of the most frequently depicted subjects in western art. The event marks the entrance of Christ into the world and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. In the distance an angel announces the birth of Christ to the shepherds tending their flocks. One shepherd is already at the stable adoring the Christ child. In the background, the cityscape represents Jerusalem, where Christ would be crucified, represented here as a northern medieval city. Only Matthew and Luke describe Christ’s nativity in the Gospels, which led medieval writers and artists to amplify the event. Some scholars have suggested that the head of Joseph

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtThe Nativity

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