The Holy Night (The Nativity)

The Holy Night (The Nativity)

Carlo Maratta

1655

oil

From the collection of Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

About this work

The painting depicts a serene scene of the Virgin Mary cradling the newborn Jesus, surrounded by three angels. The figures are set against a dark background, with a soft, golden light illuminating their faces and bodies. The Virgin Mary is dressed in a flowing white robe, while the angels wear blue and white garments. In the foreground, a bundle of straw or hay is visible, adding a sense of rustic simplicity to the scene. The overall mood is one of quiet reverence and devotion. To learn more about the artistic technique used in this painting, explore the concept of chiaroscuro.

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