The Nativity, 18th/20th century

[1] Ruth Fine, former Rosenwald curator, found no record of purchase for this object but suggested the Rosenwalds might have acquired it on their round-the-world trip in 1958 (conversation with Alison Luchs, NGA curator, 26 August 1983). Their account of that trip (Edith and Lessing Rosenwald, Writing Paper Back, [privately printed, 1958]) includes no visit to Africa or mention of the relief, although the book rarely discusses purchases. Elizabeth Mongan, an earlier Rosenwald curator, had never seen the relief and suggested that it must have been acquired after she left the position in 1962 (telephone conversation, 13 March 1985).