The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (2024)

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (1)

You've sung the carols, you've sent the cards, but how well do you actually know the Nativity? Here's the original Christmas story, told through our paintings

The Christmas story has inspired some of the most affectionate, gentle and intimate images in the history of Western art.

They bring to life the story of Christ's birth, 'the Nativity', first told of in the New Testamentgospels ofSaint MatthewandSaint Luke.

The original Christmas

The Christmas period is the time when Christians celebrate their joy at the birth ofJesus. They believe that his birth fulfilled the Old Testament promise that a Messiah, Christ, would be born.

The story begins with some unexpected news...

The Annunciation

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (2)

Image: Fra Filippo Lippi, 'The Annunciation', about 1450-3

TheVirgin Marywas visited by the angel Gabriel, sent by God to Nazareth, who told her that she would give birth to Jesus, the son of God.

In Fra Filippo Lippi's beautifully symmetrical depiction of theAnnunciation, the angel Gabriel is shown on the left with peacock feather wings. It was traditionally thought that at the moment of Gabriel’s arrival, Mary was reading the prophecy in the Old Testament book of Isaiah that a virgin would give birth to a son.

At the top of the picture the hand of God can be seen sending theHoly Spiritin the form of a dove towards an opening in the front of Mary’s dress. The curved top of thepanelindicates that it may have been intended as a furniture painting, or perhaps to be hung above a doorway, probably in a palace owned by theMedicifamily.

Below the central urn containing lilies, a symbol of Mary’s purity, is a carving of three feathers inside a diamond ring. This was an emblem adopted by several members of the Medici family.

The Dream of Saint Joseph

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (3)

Image: Philippe de Champaigne, 'The Dream of Saint Joseph', 1642-3

These events must have come as quite a shock forJoseph, thrust into the role of earthly father to the Son of God. Saint Matthew’s gospel describes how he was visited by an angel in a dream who gave him some reassurance.

In Philippe de Champaigne's painting, Joseph is asleep on an elegant armchair, perhaps one he made himself. The tools of his trade as a carpenter are placed at his side and his sandals lie on the woven mat by his feet.

The hefty angel who miraculously stays airborne has been sent by the Lord to reassure Joseph. He tells him that he need not hesitate to take Mary for his wife as the child she has conceived is the Son of God.

The artist deliberately chose a simplecompositionwith blocks of vividcolourso that the painting, which was destined for a dimly lit chapel in the now demolished church of the Minimes in Paris, would be easily seen.

The Nativity

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (4)

Image: Geertgen tot Sint Jans, 'The Nativity at Night', possibly about 1490

While pregnant with the Christ Child, Mary and her husband Joseph travelled to Bethlehem to pay taxes, which the Emperor Caesar Augustus had declared that all citizens must pay. Once in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to her son in a shelter for animals and used their manger for a bed because there was no room left at the inn.

In this small devotional paintingGeertgen tot Sint Jans(‘little Gerard of the Brethren of Saint John’) does not show the baby in traditional swaddling clothes. Instead, the tiny naked child exudes rays of supernatural light which illuminate the night-time scene, one of the first realistically painted night scenes in Northern art.

It is so dark that we can barely make out Joseph standing behind to the right, or the faces of the ox and ass as they too look into the manger at the unexpected contents. The light emanating from the Christ Child lights up the faces of the little angels and emphasises their wonderment at his miraculous birth.

News of Christ’s birth spread fast and it was not long before the first visitors arrived.

The Arrival of the Shepherds

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (5)

Image: Guido Reni, 'The Adoration of the Shepherds', about 1640

Shepherdshad been keeping watch over their flocks at night when the angel of the Lord brought them news that Christ had been born.

In this painting we see the shepherds, young and old, crowding around the baby. A host of angels bear a scroll with the words they sang to the shepherds to announce the birth – Gloria In Eccelsis Deo (Glory to God in the Highest).

Humble shepherds were not the only visitors who travelled to see the special baby.

The Arrival of the Kings

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (6)

Image: Jan Gossaert (Jean Gossart), 'The Adoration of the Kings', 1510-15

Wise mencame from the East to Jerusalem, following a star. The star, positioned at the top of the painting directly above the Christ Child and the dove of the Holy Spirit, is also a symbol of God the Father.

In this painting, Gossaert shows the three men presenting their gifts. Their luxurious clothes contrast with the surrounding ruins. This was a common setting for paintings of this subject symbolising the collapse of the old pagan order and the beginning of Christianity.

Gold, frankincense and myrrh

The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh, a fragrant resin used to embalm the dead and a symbol of Christ’s future sacrifice. Caspar kneels before the Virgin presenting gold coins in a chalice. Melchior stands behind him and Balthazar, the Moorish King, stands on the left.

The wise menhad beensent by King Herod to find the newborn ‘King of the Jews’ and to report his whereabouts under the pretence that Herod wanted to go and worship the child. Fortunately God warned the wise men in a dream not to return to evil King Herod and they departed another way.

The Flight into Egypt

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (7)

Image: Workshop of Goossen van der Weyden, 'The Flight into Egypt', about 1516

After the wise men departed, the angel of the Lord returned to Joseph in a dream. He revealed Herod’s wicked plan to seek out the young child and kill him because Herod saw the child heralded as the new ‘King’ and a rival to his throne.

In this painting of theFlight into Egypt, Joseph is shown following the angel’s advice. In the background we see the head and torso of an old pagan statue falling to the ground, referring to the legend that statues of pagan idols crumbled as the holy family, representing a new religious era, passed.

Massacre of the innocents

Near the small houses in thebackgrounda more horrific breaking of real bodies is about to take place, the massacre of the innocents, a slaughter ordered by King Herod of all children under the age of two. We see the young children being taken from their distraught parents.

Herod had hoped in this way to ensure that the baby Jesus would be killed. Fortunately the child remains safe, cradled in the arms of Mary who suckles him, while Joseph, with provisions and a straw hat where ahalomight be, leads his family to safety.

You might also like

10-minute talks

Gossaert's 'The Adoration of the Kings'

Susan Foister looks at Gossaert's vibrant masterpiece

Video

10-minute talks: Read more

A curated look

Angels

Joost Joustra decodes paintings of angels

Video

A curated look: Read more

Behind the scenes in Conservation

Restoring Botticelli's 'Adoration of the Kings': Part one

Jill Dunkerton and Britta New find out what was hiding beneath a frame for nearly two centuries

Video

Behind the scenes in Conservation: Read more

Behind the scenes in Conservation

Restoring Botticelli's 'Adoration of the Kings': Part two

Watch Jill Dunkerton as she retouches a Renaissance masterpiece

Video

Behind the scenes in Conservation: Read more

Behind the scenes in Conservation

Restoring Botticelli's 'Adoration of the Kings': Part three

Jill Dunkerton and Marta Melchiorre ask, how can we identify Botticelli's hand from that of his assistant, Filippino Lippi's?

Video

Behind the scenes in Conservation: Read more

X/Y

The Nativity | Stories | National Gallery, London (2024)

FAQs

How much is the Nativity della Francesca worth? ›

It was acquired by the National Gallery for £2,415 (2,300 guineas, equivalent to £235,000 in 2019) at the Barker sale at Christie's in June 1874, along with other works.

What is the message of the Nativity? ›

The nativity scene shows God as he came into our world, but it also makes us reflect on how our life is part of God's own life. It invites us to become his disciples if we want to attain ultimate meaning in life.

What is the meaning of the Nativity scene? ›

In the Christian tradition, a nativity scene (also known as a manger scene, crib, crèche (/krɛʃ/ or /kreɪʃ/), or in Italian presepio or presepe, or Bethlehem) is the special exhibition, particularly during the Christmas season, of art objects representing the birth of Jesus.

How does the Nativity story end? ›

In Matthew, the story is told in two out of the 28 chapters and in Luke, it is told in two chapters out of 24. Both Matthew and Luke finish their telling of the story with Joseph, Mary and Jesus returning to Nazareth to live. But Christians believe that Christmas was only the beginning of the amazing life of Jesus.

How much is the Nativity painting worth? ›

The nativity scene was nearly nine feet high and, according to the FBI, has been estimated to be worth $20 million. On the night of October 17, 1969, two thieves cut the painting from its frame and rolled it in a length of carpet also stolen from the scene.

How much is the Jesus painting worth? ›

Known to be attributed to one of the Italian High Renaissance artists Leonardo Da Vinci, the painting is worth $450.3 million and was bought by Prince Badr bin Abdullah Al Saud on 15 November 2017 in an auction by Christie's in New York, setting a new record for the most expensive painting ever sold at public auction.

What ethnicity was Jesus? ›

Of course, Jesus was a Jew. He was born of a Jewish mother, in Galilee, a Jewish part of the world. All of his friends, associates, colleagues, disciples, all of them were Jews. He regularly worshipped in Jewish communal worship, what we call synagogues.

What month was Jesus actually born? ›

According to verse 19:25, during labor Mary was told to shake a palm tree so that ripe dates would fall off. This description, combined with the ripening period of dates places the birth of Jesus somewhere between June and October, with later times being more likely due to dates falling off easily.

How old was Jesus when he died? ›

However, Bond makes the case Jesus died around Passover, between A.D. 29 and 34. Considering Jesus' varying chronology, he was 33 to 40 years old at his time of death.

How old was Mary when she had Jesus? ›

Scholars believe Mary would have been somewhere between 12-16 years old when she had Jesus. Given the biblical account and the Jewish cultural practices in Mary's day, the most plausible age Mary would have been when she had Jesus was most likely 15 or 16 years old.

Who first visited baby Jesus? ›

There were shepherds taking care of their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them and told them not to be afraid as he brought good news, “This very day in David's town your saviour was born – Christ the Lord!” They would find the baby wrapped in cloth, lying in a manger.

What animals were at the birth of Jesus? ›

Most Western representations of Jesus' birth show donkeys, oxen, cows, and sheep watching over the Holy Family and, occasionally, a camel or two arriving with the Three Kings.

What language did Jesus speak? ›

Most religious scholars and historians agree with Pope Francis that the historical Jesus principally spoke a Galilean dialect of Aramaic.

Where is Jesus buried? ›

Our salvation depended essentially on his resurrection from death. Jesus proved his words as the ultimate proof of truth and love for us. The Tomb of Jesus is situated in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher, which was built in the 4th Century by Emperor Constantine on the site of Golgotha.

Was Jesus an angel before he was born? ›

Many Bible scholars believe Jesus appeared on earth centuries before his Bethlehem birth, not as a man, but as the Angel of the Lord. The Old Testament includes more than 50 references to the Angel of the Lord.

How much is the Nativity with St Francis and St Lawrence worth? ›

Italian police, Interpol, and the FBI have all worked towards locating the painting. Its value has been variously estimated at US$20 million and £20 million; however, black market resale values are typically significantly less than fair market prices, perhaps a tenth of its estimated value.

How old was Keisha Castle Hughes in the Nativity? ›

Keisha Castle-Hughes became pregnant during filming, at the age of 16, and received a lot of media attention.

Who is the girlfriend in Nativity 1? ›

Mr. Maddens grew to hate Christmas after his girlfriend at drama school, Jennifer Lore (Ashley Jensen), broke up with him at Christmas time.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 5343

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.