The Nativity of the Lord

Name/Title

The Nativity of the Lord

Entry/Object ID

1992.12.1

Description

Spanish Colonial painting of the Nativity, 18th c. Andean.

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Circle of Juan Basilio de Santa Cruz Pumacallao

Attribution

Attributed to

Role

Artist

Time Period

18th Century

Notes

Attribution to the Circle of Juan Basilio de Santa Cruz Pumacallao made by Barbara von Barghahn is unsubstantiated.

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Canvas

Height

40 in

Width

53-1/2 in

Dimension Description

Framed

Height

48 in

Width

61-1/2 in

Interpretative Labels

Label

Biblical narrative paintings were helpful to missionaries in teaching the Life of Christ. This Nativity scene portrays the newly born Jesus lying in a manger. An angel announces his birth in the upper left-hand corner. Mary and Joseph look serenely at their son in recognition of the holy meaning of his birth. Gold leaf accents typical of the Cusco School decorate the robes of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus’ manger, to identify and elevate the holy figures. Fields of wheat can be seen through the window, denoting the Eucharist in which the body of Christ becomes the bread of life. Los misioneros se sirvieron de pinturas que representaban historias de la Biblia para dar a conocer la vida de Jesús. Esta escena de la Natividad muestra al recién nacido sobre un pesebre. En la esquina superior izquierda un ángel anuncia el nacimiento de Jesús. María y José miran serenamente a su hijo como reconociendo el significado sagrado del momento. Para identificar y enaltecer su carácter sagrado, las ropas de María, José y el pesebre de Jesús están decorados con las tradicionales láminas de oro de la Escuela Cuzqueña. Por la ventana se ven los campos de trigo que aluden a la Eucaristía y el momento en que el cuerpo de Cristo se convierte en Pan de Vida.

Label Type

Credit Line

Label

Saint Joseph's University Purchase