The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 28, 2024

The Nativity

The Nativity

c. 1457
Location: not on view

Description

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. Using the wattle fence almost as a church pew, two shepherds express humble piety; one removes his hat and the other clasps his hands in prayer.
  • c. 1457-1908
    Church in Peralta de la Sal, likely sold to Celestino Dupont
    1908-?
    Celestino Dupont, France
    ?-1938
    French and Company, New York, NY, sold to Frank H. Ginn
    1938-1953
    Frank H. Ginn, Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art
    1953-
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Cleveland Museum of Art. Catalogue of Paintings. Pt. 1. European Paintings before 1500. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1974. Reproduced: fig. 59, p. 164 - 165
  • {{cite web|title=The Nativity|url=false|author=Jaume Ferrer the Younger|year=c. 1457|access-date=28 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1953.660.2