Nativity of the Virgin, 1800s, Oil on Canvas

Details

Description

Period: 18th Century (Eighteenth Century) Technique: Oil on canvas Subject: The Nativity of the Virgin.
of the work

The painting … Read more Period: 18th Century (Eighteenth Century) Technique: Oil on canvas Subject: The Nativity of the Virgin.
of the work

The painting depicts a scene full of characters and movement, centered on the figure of a nurse holding a haloed newborn baby (surrounded by a halo of stars). The composition unfolds on multiple levels:

In the foreground: Several female figures in brightly colored period clothing (lapis lazuli blue, yellow ochre, and carmine red) care for the baby. In the lower left, a copper cradle with white linens stands out, rendered with effective material realism.

In the background: The scene opens onto a domestic interior where other women are busy warming clothes or preparing the birth supplies, while in the upper left, two cherubs watch the scene from the clouds, emphasizing the sacred nature of the event.

Stylistic Analysis

The work is distinguished by a skillful use of light, which highlights the faces and draperies, the latter characterized by large, dynamic folds. The fluid brushstrokes are typical of the 18th-century Italian school, with particular attention to the rendering of flesh tones and the metallic reflections of household objects (such as the vase at bottom right).
Conservation Status

The painting is in good overall condition. The canvas shows the characteristic craquelure of the period, attesting to its authenticity and historical integrity. The work has been relined. The frame, which is not contemporary, is made of carved and gilded wood with foliage decorations.

Dimensions: 76 x 88 cm including the frame, 58.5 x 78 cm canvas only. See less