Nativity

Nativity

Dateca. 1515-1520
Mediumoil on panel
Dimensionsoverall: 13 5/8 x 10 3/4 in. (34.6 x 27.3 cm) frame: 22 3/4 x 20 in. (57.8 x 50.8 cm)
ClassificationPAINTINGS
Credit LineSBMA, Museum purchase with funds provided in part by Wright S. Ludington
Object number1965.63
Subject(s)
  • animal
  • religion
  • Christianity
  • angel
  • music
  • cow
Collection
  • Old Master
Sub-Collection(s)
  • Northern European, Flemish
On View
On view
Label Text

Early Netherlandish paintings are frequently of an intimate scale, intended for private devotional practice, rather than commissioned by the Church or State for public display and worship as is more often the case in Italian Renaissance art. This is manifestly true of this small nativity scene, done on panel, a support frequently used by early Netherlandish artists active in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Devotional images such as this one were meant to encourage meditation through an appeal to the senses, allowing the worshipper to identify with the beatific yet melancholy Virgin Mary, as she gazes upon the Son of God. As is typical of Netherlandish art, there is an abundance of attention paid to fine detail, as in the texture of Mary’s cloak, and the fantastically colored wings of the angels who have appeared to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The sound of celebration is registered in the angels’ open mouths and the roll of music held by the angels hovering up above. The artist implies through their down cast eyes that Mary and Joseph cannot see this heavenly assembly, but perhaps, like us, can feel their presence.

This panel picture can reasonably be ascribed to the circle of the highly successful panel painter, Gerard David, who flourished in the city of Bruges, where he found a ready clientele as it was a cultural crossroads between Italy, Spain, England, and the German territories. David, who may have also worked as a manuscript illuminator, readily assimilated the elegant courtly style of the older artist, Hans Memling, the dominant painter of Bruges. Our painting seems to reflect David’s late style, with its Italianate sfumato effects in the rendering of the faces and the intricate play of light throughout.


The Madness of Nebuchadnezzar
Follower of Gerard David
1597-1681
Untitled (Beach)
David KORTY
2002
Gypsy Nativity
Joan BROWN
1960
Park Scene
Adolphe Joseph Thomas MONTICELLI
1875-78
The Fishermen
Charles-François DAUBIGNY
1868
Idealized Female Head (Tête d'expression)
Jean-Jacques HENNER
late 1880s
Nude with Basket of Fruit
Georges BRAQUE
1924
July
Joos de MOMPER, the younger
early 17th century
Santa Barbara Art Museum

Museum Hours

Tues - Sun 11 am - 5 pm
Thurs 11 am - 8 pm
Closed Mondays and holidays
» see complete schedule

Visit Us

Santa Barbara Museum of Art
1130 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
» view map

Connect

Find SBMA on