The nativity
1544
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
About the artist
Artist
Jacob Binck
Jakob Binck was a German engraver, etcher, painter, medalist, copyist and art dealer.
See the richer artist page1544
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The nativity is a 1544 by Jacob Binck, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This print shows a nativity scene inside a wooden stable. A woman kneels beside a sleeping baby in a manger, while an older man stands nearby holding a staff. Animals—an ox and a goat—stand close to the manger. Outside, shepherds and angels appear in the distance, with light shining down on them. The artist used strong contrasts between light and dark to make the figures stand out. This was a common way to draw attention to important parts of the scene. Check out more about chiaroscuro to see how this technique works in other art.
Jakob Binck was a German engraver, etcher, painter, medalist, copyist and art dealer.
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