The Nativity, Nicolaus Alexander Mair
Nicolaus Alexander Mair
The Nativity
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Nicolaus Alexander Mair

The Nativity, 1499


Blatt
201 x 137 mm
Physical Description
Engraving
Inventory Number
33652
Acquisition
Acquired in 1860 as a gift from Johann David Passavant
Status
Can be presented in the study room of the Graphische Sammlung (special opening hours)

Texts

About the Work

A framing architecture – enlivened by small figures unmentioned in the biblical narrative of Christ's birth – opens the view onto a pictorial world inviting further discovery: Mary sitting in a courtyard and tenderly cradling the new-born Christ; Joseph, bending over a wooden parapet on the left, an ox and a donkey, a shepherd looking out of a window in the central back and two angels are present in this intimate scene. The intricate, robust buildings with their false alignment seem surreal but reflect the ‘modern’ interests of artists around 1500 in the construction of perspective and a realistic spatial representation.

Work Data

Basic Information

Title
The Nativity
Engraver
Period Produced
Object Type
Physical Description
Engraving
Material
Technique
Geographic Reference
Label at the Time of Manufacture
Signiert in der Platte unten mittig auf einer Tafel: MAIR; datiert in der Platte oben mittig: 1499
Captions Added Later
Verso Stempel des Städelschen Kunstinstituts, Frankfurt am Main (Lugt 2356), mit zugehöriger Inventarnummer
Watermark
  • Nicht vorhanden
Work Catalogues
  • TIB Bd.9.349.4
  • Lehrs VIII.298.5
  • Bartsch VI.364.4

Property and Acquisition

Institution
Administration
Collection
Creditline
Städel Museum, Frankfurt am Main
Picture Copyright
Public Domain
Acquisition
Acquired in 1860 as a gift from Johann David Passavant

Work Content

Iconclass

Primary
  • 73B1 story of the birth of Christ (Luke 2:1-20)
  • 73B281 the ox and the ass at the manger ~ Christ's birth
  • 11G angels

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Last update

15.05.2023