The Nativity

Augustin Hirschvogel

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a nativity scene inside a stable. There is a mother figure kneeling beside a cradle or basket with a blanket, and an older figure standing nearby holding a staff. Two animals, a cow and a donkey, are behind the cradle. The stable has a simple design with a slanted roof supported by wooden beams. In the background is a pastoral landscape. Below the illustration is a block of text in an older script. The drawing is composed with intricate line work, emphasizing shading and contours to create a harmonious balance between the characters and their setting.