Sunday, December 14, 2008

Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds

Nativity and Adoration of the Shepherds
by Bartolo di Fredi
c. 1383
Tempera and gold on wood, 50 x 35 cm
Pinacoteca, Vatican

Jesus the mummy lies on stone slab in a strange cave-like structure. He appears mesmerized by a sort of bird laser, much to the amusement of the ox and the ass.

Up above, an angel choir sings while on the right, one angel breaks out to announces the birth of Jesus to shepherds, causing one to scratch his head in wonder.

The same shepherds can be seen in the foreground, worshiping Jesus with their cartoonish dog. What happened to the sheep?

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