The Nativity

Heinrich Aldegrever

National Gallery of Art

This drawing shows a group of people sitting, kneeling, and standing, looking towards a child in the center. The central child appears to be an infant lying on a cloth over a layer of hay or fibers. Behind the infant are three larger children who all have wings. One of these cherubic children holds the infant's arm. On the right, a woman kneels down by the children, her arms crossed over her chest. She is wrapped in draped clothing with a hood over her hair. Standing behind her is a man with a balding head and a beard, who looks down with one hand on his chest. On the left are two more men who hold long trumpets, one kneeling and one standing, both dressed in hooded tunics. In the background, a semi-ruined stable or shelter is depicted, with damaged wooden walls and a thatched roof. A cow and a donkey are visible behind the central children, looking out of the stable. Above, there are four more cherubic figures appearing to float in the sky above the surrounding buildings and arches. Near the top right corner, a star is visible shining brightly in the sky.