The Nativity

Martin Schongauer

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of an nativity scene. The image features a woman with a halo kneeling in prayer beside a manger where a baby lies. Surrounding her are two animals, an ox and a donkey, which are gazing towards the baby. Above the woman, cherubs are flying, and on the left, in the distant landscape, two figures can be seen approaching. The drawing captures the folds of the woman's attire and the expressions on the figures. The scene appears to celebrate a calm event set within a simple setting adorned with rural and spiritual elements.