Rarely have Christ’s words “I am the light of the world” found such memorable visual expression. All light emanates from the newborn infant in the stable at Bethlehem, thus manifesting his divine nature. He is lovingly held in his mother’s arms. The shepherds respond to the birth of God with heartfelt joy and the angels are jubilant. Rather than showing a “sacra conversazione”, this altarpiece, painted for a chapel in San Prospero in Reggio Emilia, portrays a specific narrative, that of the Nativity.
Further Media
- Material & Technique
- Oil on poplar panel
- Museum
- Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
- Dating
- c. 1528/30
- Inventory number
- Gal.-Nr. 152