By Socratis Santik Oglou,
The high levels of illiterate people in the midcentury years led the Catholic Church, and the wealthy merchants, to form a way of communication through images. They commissioned a large number of artists to paint, and to depict, the spirit, the origin, and the story of Christianity. This, of course, led us to a heritage of paintings from these years, which are currently hung on the walls of grand museums all around the globe. Here, you will find the 10 most well-known Christmas-themed artworks from grand art masters.
1. Caravaggio, Nativity with St. Francis and St. Lawrence (1609)
In Caravaggio’s final large-scale painting, Virgin Mary is depicted in a relaxing and gazing state after she gave birth to her child. The artist defied convention by prominently placing an unknown youth in the foreground, staring at an aged Joseph. Unfortunately, back in 1969, the artwork got stolen and speculated by the Sicilian Mafia. Since the painting’s robbery, it has never been shown, nor found, except for its replica, which was commissioned in 2015.
2. Sandro Botticelli, The Annunciation (1489)
The Annunciation is depicted in a classicizing architectural interior rendered with one-point perspective to create the illusion of depth, while the incised lines visible on the panel’s surface are evidence of Botticelli’s working process, resulting in a more perplexing composition. The archangel Gabriel appeared to Virgin Mary to inform her that she would be the mother of God’s child, a baby boy named Jesus. Her face is flushed by the news’ emotional impact. The painting was in the renowned Barberini collection in Rome in the 17th century, but the patron’s identity is yet unknown.
3. Pieter Bruegel the Elder, The Census at Bethlehem (1566)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder represents Mary and Joseph on their way to be enrolled in a census imposed by the Romans, amid a snowy landscape inspired by his own Flanders. Admittedly, this artwork is a signature work of Bruegel’s, since it brilliantly illustrates his tendency to depict biblical facts in a modern (for his time) context.
4. Peter Paul Rubens, Adoration of the Magi (1609-1629)
Rubens depicts the three kings worshipping and bringing gifts to the newborn son of God in his masterwork, which is considered one of his most important works. He was one of the artists commissioned by a council, to portray the history of the Catholic Church. So, he was commissioned by the Antwerp town council in 1609. Furthermore, at the end of the 12-year war back in 1612, he was presented to the Spanish envoy as a peace offering.
5. Rembrandt, Dream of Joseph (1645)
Rembrandt depicts Christ’s earthly father, Joseph, agreeing to marry Mary after discovering she is pregnant. To explain Virgin Mary’s pregnancy to Joseph’s mind, God sent an angel to him in his dreams to explain the miraculous conception and to tell him that the child’s name would be Jesus. The painting was housed at Berlin’s Königliche Schlöss until 1830 when it was transferred to the city’s Königliche Museum.
6. El Greco, The Adoration of the Shepherds (1605-1610)
In his final year of life, El Greco created this masterpiece. Greco’s later work, characterized by more abstract figures, is portrayed in this work. The shepherds who traveled to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of God’s new baby, as well as the angels who circle above them are portrayed in the painting.
7. Raphael, Sistine Madonna (1512)
Sistine Madonna, also known as Madonna di San Sisto, is one of Raphael’s most famous paintings. It represents the Virgin Mary carrying baby Jesus, with Saint Sixtus and Saint Barbara on either side of her, for the church of San Sisto Piacenza, which was commissioned by Pope Julius II.
8. Hugo van der Goes, Mary and Joseph on the Way to Bethlehem (1475)
Hugo van der Goes’ painting beautifully depicts Virgin Mary’s advanced pregnancy. The couple’s long trek to Bethlehem is also depicted, with Joseph carefully leading his wife down the steep and rocky hillside. This painting consists of part of the Portinari Altarpiece.
9. Benozzo Gozzoli, The Procession of the Magi (1459)
The Medici family commissioned Benozzo Gozzoli to paint this large, multi-panel masterpiece for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence. There is enough room on this large painting to represent the entire procession of thirty-three people, on their way to Bethlehem to honor God’s newborn child. This artwork is significant because it depicted this aspect of the biblical account in a way that a contemporary audience could understand.
10. Goossen van der Weyden, The Flight into Egypt (1516)
Goossen van der Weyden depicts a different aspect of the biblical narrative. The angel, who explained Joseph’s pregnancy, now appears to warn him of King Herod’s plan to kill the infant Jesus, whom he saw as a threat to his throne. Joseph follows the angel’s advice and flees to Egypt with his young family, as depicted in the artwork.
To conclude, I do not consider myself neither a renaissance nor a “Catholic-themed” art fan, but I cannot deny the beauty of these paintings. All of the above depict only a small part of the artworks that are considered “Christmas-themed”. I certainly urge you to take a look and dive further into the topic, because the beauty of these masterpieces is truly astonishing.
References
- The Christmas Story Told in 10 Old Master Paintings, news.artnet.com, Available here
- The 20 Most Important Christmas-Themed Art Pieces of All Time, complex.com, Available here
- All I want for Christmas… is art, artuk.org, Available here
