The Nativity
1457
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1457
unspecified
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
The Nativity is a 1457 unspecified by Jaume Ferrer II, a Early Renaissance work, depicting Catalonia, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
You see a quiet night scene. Mary kneels near the Christ Child, wrapped in red. Joseph stands behind her. Gold leaf covers the background, patterned with raised dots called *pastiglia*. The baby holds a small golden orb. It shows Christ’s rule over the world. The haloes shine with real gold, not just paint. Look for a painting like this at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting is believed to be a remaining component of a six-panel altarpiece. The large central panel is now preserved in the Museu National d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona. Ferrer collaborated with the painter Pere Garcia de Benavarri on this commission. Spanish works like these often feature elaborate treatment of the gold background, evident here in the exuberant raised decoration (called pastiglia ) in the haloes. As a symbol of his dominion over the world, Christ holds an orb in his left hand; he bestows a blessing with his right hand. The Virgin kneels above him in rapt adoration.…
Read the full account in the museum source.
Jaume Ferrer II (1460–1461) was a Spanish artist, born in Lleida.
See the richer artist page
