Cleveland Museum of Art

The Nativity

Jaume Ferrer the Younger

Date

c. 1457

Medium

oil, tempera, and gold on wood panel (fir)

Culture

Spain, Catalonia, 15th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

This painting is believed to be a remaining component of a six-panel altarpiece. The large central panel is now preserved in the Museu National d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona. Ferrer collaborated with the painter Pere Garcia de Benavarri on this commission. Spanish works like these often feature elaborate treatment of the gold background, evident here in the exuberant raised decoration (called pastiglia ) in the haloes. As a symbol of his dominion over the world, Christ holds an orb in his left hand; he bestows a blessing with his right hand. The Virgin kneels above him in rapt adoration. Using the wattle fence almost as a church pew, two shepherds express humble piety; one removes his hat and the other clasps his hands in prayer.

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