This painting is thought to be based on a lost original of around 1460-80. In the background appear the Annunciation to the Shepherds, & the Shepherds pointing to the Star. The two women behind Saint Joseph are presumably the Virgin's midwives, Zelomi (Zebel) & Mary Salome who are legendary, not biblical, characters. Geertgen's ' Nativity At Night', is comparable as a night scene, but in this painting the Child is placed on the ground instead of in a crib.