The Nativity

Luca della Robbia

National Gallery of Art

The sculpture is a relief depicting a scene with people gathered around a baby in a basket, surrounded by green grass. Surrounding the basket, there is a man on the left and a woman on the right with her hands clasped in prayer. Behind them is a row of more people, including two angels. Two oxen or cattle can be seen looking down at the child. The people and animals are all white against a deep blue backdrop. The sculpture is framed within an intricate gold-and-blue frame, with the words "GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO" inscribed at the top. The golden frame has detailed columns with floral and geometric patterns.