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The Nativity

Jean de Gourmont

1530

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Religious

Dominant colour

The Nativity is a 1530 by Jean de Gourmont, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Jean de Gourmont
When & what style?: 1530 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This print shows a dimly lit scene with a group of people around a cradle. A woman kneels beside it, while another woman sits nearby, looking down. In the background, a cross-shaped structure holds a figure on it, and two angels hover above. The floor is scattered with tools and a drum lies open. Shadows stretch across the stone walls and columns, making the space feel deep and uneven. The artist uses strong contrasts between light and dark to guide your eye. Notice how the faces and hands stand out against the shadows—this helps tell the story clearly. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this lighting trick works.