Something Beautiful

Nativity

The traditional elements of a true Nativity are: Mary, Christ Child, Joseph; ox, and donkey. One or more angels are also often present.

Nativity, 1308-11, by Duccio di Buoninsegna (complex)

Nativity, 1383, by Master Bertram (panel from Grabow Altarpiece)

The Nativity, ca. 1445, Filippo Lippi and Workshop

Nativity, 1452, by Petrus Christus

Nativity, 1460s, by Giovanni di Paolo

Nativity, 1470-72, by Hans Memling

Nativity, 1475-1500, by Hans Memling

Nativity, 1475-1500, by Unknown Master, Flemish

The Nativity, at Night, late 15th century;

Nativity, at Night, 1484-90, by Geertgen tot Sint Jans*

Nativity, 1523, by Lorenzo Lotto

The Nativity, 1650s, by Nicolas Poussin

The Nativity with God the Father and the Holy Ghost, ca. 1740, Giovanni Battista Pittoni

Nativities (true)

The Web has enabled me to pursue my education in art history in ways that would never have been possible before its invention and popularization. It was thus only a few years ago that I learned not to lump all Christmas nativity scenes into one giant category but instead to differentiate among:

(1) Nativity;
(2) Adoration of the Shepherds; and
(3) Adoration of the Magi.

I hope to post links to examples of each during the coming weeks.

The irreducible three elements of a true Nativity are Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child, with the latter often resting in a manger. Three additional elements are not essential but are traditionally present: a donkey, an ox, and one or more angels. The simplest Nativities of which I am aware are:

Nativity, by Lorenzo Costa, c. 1500 (?); and
Nativity, by sculptor Michel Anguier, c. 1665.

In contrast to those are such complex -- one might almost say "busy" -- depictions as this:

Nativity by Antoniazzo Romano, c. 1480.

Christmas Story (in art)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a special page on the Christmas Story in art. The page presents the story itself, as illustrated by 12 excellent works of art.

Begin doing what you want to do

"Begin doing what you want to do now.  We are not living in eternity.  We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand - and melting like a snowflake."  - Sir Francis Bacon

Worth listening to

I haven't been able to verify this yet, but earlier today I read the following quote, presumably attributable to e. e. cummings:

We do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals that something deep inside us is valuable, worth listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch.

Once we believe in ourselves we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.