The Nativity
1665
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1665
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Dominant colour
The Nativity is a 1665 oil by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, a spanish_baroque_tenebrist work, depicting christ child, held at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
This painting depicts the Nativity scene, with the Virgin Mary and Joseph gazing at the newborn Jesus. The baby lies on a white cloth, surrounded by a halo of light. Above them, two cherubs hold a white banner with gold lettering, set against a dark background. The scene is rendered in warm, earthy tones, with the figures' robes and the straw beneath Jesus creating a sense of texture and depth. The overall mood is one of quiet reverence and devotion. For more on the use of chiaroscuro in religious art, look up Bartolomé Esteban Murillo.
