Artwork preview

The Nativity

Martin Schongauer

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a woman seated gracefully, with a man standing beside her and an infant lying on the ground. The woman has long wavy hair, wearing a flowing robe, directing her gaze down towards the infant. The man stands slightly behind her with a gentle expression and a beard, holding a lantern in one hand and a staff in the other. The background features partially crumbling architecture with intricate arches, while the floor is stone with vegetation between the cracks. In the foreground, the infant lies on a cloth with a cow and a donkey nearby. Above, there are figures resembling angels within the roof's arches. The background displays a landscape with mountains and a small figure walking away.

Artwork Details

Date
c. 1470/1475
Medium
engraving
Dimensions
3276 × 4947 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette