The Nativity
1524
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1524
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This etching shows a woman kneeling by a manger, holding a sleeping baby wrapped in cloth. Behind her, a cow and a donkey stand near a simple stone building. Another person in robes watches from the left, while a glowing light shines down from above. The artist uses sharp lines and deep shadows to create a sense of depth and drama. Notice how the folds in the woman’s robe and the baby’s blanket are carefully drawn to show texture. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this technique works.
