Nativity


Matthew 1, 16 - 25

And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2, 6 - 7

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Protoevangelium of St. James

XIX.

1. And behold a woman coming down from the hillcountry, and she said to me: Man, whither goest thou? And I said: I seek a midwife of the Hebrews. And she answered and said unto me: Art thou of Israel? And I said unto her: Yea. And she said: And who is she that bringeth forth in the cave? And I said: She that is betrothed unto me. And she said to me: Is she not thy wife? And I said to her: It is Mary that was nurtured up in the temple of the Lord: and I received her to wife by lot: and she is not my wife, but she hath conception by the Holy Ghost. And the midwife said unto him: Is this the truth? And Joseph said unto her: Come hither and see. And the midwife went with him.

2. And immediately the cloud withdrew itself out of the cave, and a great light appeared in the cave so that our eyes could not endure it. And by little and little that light withdrew itself until the young child appeared: and it went and took the breast of its mother Mary.





171 photos
Nativity. Detail. For overall view please see 40-08-06/5.
Wood, 166 x 166cm.
Center panel of an altar painted for the Church
of Sta. Margherita in Prato.
INV. 338
#39191847

Nativity. Detail. For overall view please see 40-08-06/5. Wood, 166 x 166cm. C...

Nativity.                                              
Tempera on oakwood                                     
27 x 38 cm
#400101 4

Nativity. Tempera on oakwood...

Nativity. Detail                                       
from an altar.                                         
Tempera on wood                                        
75 x 92 cm
#400101 5

Nativity. Detail from an altar....

Birth of Christ.                                       
Tempera on wood (ca. 1350)                             
85 x 95 cm
#400101 6

Birth of Christ. Tempera on wood (ca. 135...

The Adoration of the shepherds, 1476.                  
Center piece of the Portinari Altar.                   
Tempera on wood,253 x 304 cm   Inv.3191                
See also 40-01-01/9-13
#400101 8

The Adoration of the shepherds, 1476. Center piece of the Port...

Praying angels. Detail of the central panel            
of the Portinari Altar, 1476.                          
Tempera on wood, total size 253 x 304 cm               
See also 40-01-01/8,10-13                              
Inv. 3191
#400101 9

Praying angels. Detail of the central panel of the Portinari Altar,...

Three shepherds. Detail of the central panel of the    
Portinari Altar,1476.                                  
Tempera on wood,total size central panel 253 x 304 cm  
See also 40-01-01/8-10,12,13                           
Inv. 3191
#40010111

Three shepherds. Detail of the central panel of the Portinari Altar,1476....

The Adoration of the Magi.                             
Tempera on wood (ca. 1350)                             
85 x 95 cm
#40010114

The Adoration of the Magi. Tempera on wood (ca. 135...

Altar of the Three Holy Kings with Adoration of        
Jesus. The city patrons of Cologne, Saint Mary,        
the Three Magi, Saint Ursula, and Saint Gereon,
an officer of the Theban Legion.       
Tempera on oakwood (1445)
#40010115

Altar of the Three Holy Kings with Adoration of Jesus. The city patrons...

Adoration of the Magi. Open predella                   
of the Saint Wolfgang Altar                            
(1475-1481)
#40010222

Adoration of the Magi. Open predella of the Saint Wolfgang Al...

Nativity. A wooden stable outside a Gothic             
city-gate. Ox and donkey. Angels hovering              
in the rafters. Left wing of the Saint                 
Wolfgang Altar (1475-1481)
#40010225

Nativity. A wooden stable outside a Gothic city-gate. Ox and donkey...

Nativity and Adoration of the shepherds,               
and a lion's head as a door handle on                  
Bishop Bernward's (993-1022) door.
#40010254

Nativity and Adoration of the shepherds, and a lion's head as a...