The Nativity

probably second half 15th century

Bolognese, Florentine, or Lombard 15th Century

This is a painting of a nativity scene. The image features a baby lying on the ground with rays emanating from it, surrounded by figures dressed in robes. A cow and an ass are beside a wooden structure, possibly a stable. One of the figures is in a kneeling position with hands clasped. An angel hovers above with a banner, and there are multiple haloed figures. The style is reminiscent of an early Renaissance religious woodcut, known for biblical and Christian iconography.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    nielloed silver

  • Credit Line

    Samuel H. Kress Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 10.8 × 8 cm (4 1/4 × 3 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1961.9.153

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Trivulzio Collection, Milan, after 1833-1844, before 1856(?). [1] (Alessandro Contini Bonacossi, 1878-1955, Rome and Florence);[2] purchased 26 June 1935 by Samuel H. Kress (1863-1955), New York; gift 27 September 1950 to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York;[3] gift 1961 to NGA.
[1] Laura Aldovini, _I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo,_Milan, 2021: 237.
[2] The bill of sale included sculptures, maiolicas, furniture, antique velvets, paintings, and enamels, for a total of one hundred objects. Copy in NGA curatorial files. See also The Kress Collection Digital Archive, (https://kress.nga.gov/Detail/acquisitions/ACQ143).
[3] An affidavit of 21 August 1956 by Herbert L. Spencer, executive director, Samuel H. Kress Foundation, states the Trivulzio collection of nielli and enamels were given by Samuel H. Kress to the Foundation on 27 September 1950; original in National Gallery of Art Archives. Secretary and General Counsel Records – Major Donor Files; copy in NGA curatorial files.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2021

  • Aldovini, Laura. I Nielli Trivulzio. Storia, Tecnica, Collezionismo. Milan, 2021: 236, 237-238, 273, no. 63, pl. XVII.

Inscriptions

at top center on a banderole held by an angel: AVE MA[upside down]/RIA

Wikidata ID

Q63854489

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