Analysis of the Nativity

The artist is unknown but his best work is featured in the Borghese Gallery in Rome, which is how he got his name. This painting is typical of the Renaissance period. It shows multiple events at the same time: in this case the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds, the wise men's journey, the soldiers in Bethlehem, and the nativity scene. The banner held by the angels reads, "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us" and is an actual example of lyrics from Renaissance music (Bob Jones Museum).

As stated above, this painting shows multiple events at the same time. The middle ground shows the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds. Three of them are holding the banner that has lyrics to a Renaissance song on it. This was a way to make the viewer a part of the painting because obviously the song did not exist at the time the painting represents. The drapery is probably fifteenth century as well. In the background, to the left, the wise men are shown heading toward the birthplace of Jesus. There is a tree that is on the cliff to the right of the path. Birds are flying away from it, which makes me think that the wise men are in a rush and scared the birds from the tree.

In the foreground is the most important scene, the nativity. Baby Jesus is lying on the ground on a red cloth, with a pillow behind his head. Mary and Joseph are on either side of him. Mary is bowing her head and kneeling; it appears that she is praying or thanking God for the baby. Joseph is sitting, very relaxed with his hand propping his head up and his foot resting on a brick. He seems to be gazing in adoration at the baby Jesus. The baby Jesus looks like a normal baby with his chubby cheeks, tummy, and legs. A donkey and bull are standing between Mary and Joseph, but further behind. The animals are characteristic of the Nativity. However, the manger, other animals, and hay are not present like in the Nativity story.

Most of the colors aren't very saturated, with the red being an exception. It is very bold and striking. The painting uses bright colors and gives a happy feeling. Blues, golds, and reds are the main color palette, with small amounts of greys, blacks, browns, greens, and whites adding to the color story. Mary is wearing the traditional red and blue drapery. The drapery is a little more natural than in the Lorenzo painting. Folds are more pronounced and make the drapery seem real. It still isn't form revealing, with Joseph's knee being the only feature that is visible.

The use of line is more exciting than in Lorenzo's painting. Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus all form an implied circle, which I believe represents the unity of the family. Joseph's cane creates a diagonal line, but is quickly balanced by the support for the stable behind him, and the horizontal line that the angels create above. The hills and cliffs in the background also create diagonals, but are balanced by the same vertical and horizontal. This all achieves equilibrium.

Perspective is achieved very well, mainly through atmosphere and scaling. The rolling clouds that give way to a little blue sky and the mountains (maybe hills) bleach out the further they get into the background. The trees on the mountains to the right of the painting, the wise men on the path, and the tree with birds flying away on the right are all scaled correctly and appear like they are far away, as they were meant to. The angels are smaller than Joseph, Mary, and Jesus and are in correct scale as well.

This is religious subject matter, but is getting closer to accepting divine figures as people. The angels are meeting with the shepherds, who are normal people. This represents the heaven and the earth uniting for this crucial moment to both parties. Mary and Joseph both seem a little more human through their facial expressions. You see emotion in their face, Mary is pleased and Joseph is almost daydreaming. They both have halos, but they are more understated than in the Lorenzo painting.

The natural light of the outside world lights up the middle ground and the background, while Mary and Joseph seem to be in shade from the stable because the lighting isn't as strong as it is behind them.

I like this painting because it is represents a story that is important to my faith and my life. It is done in a more natural way, that makes me feel as if I am there witnessing all the events. The artist is very meticulous, showing detail such as the birds flying from the tree and the tiny trees on the mountain tops. I love every bit. I also like the brightness of the painting; it makes me feel cheery and makes the painting even better. I would recommend this painting for others to view, and have because of its attention to detail and subject matter.