This is an early painting in which the influence of Lombard artists (including those in the circle of Leonardo) is combined with that of Ferrarese 15th-century painters such as Ercole de' Roberti. It is somewhat unusual for the adoring shepherds to be represented by only one prominent figure, but see also Titian's ' Holy Family & a Shepherd'. ...

Create your own bespoke print of Piero della Francesca’s The Nativity from our collection. About this painting The Nativity, 1470-5 © The National Gallery, London This painting joined our collection in 1874 With our custom print service, you can order your own fully customised reproduction from the National Gallery Collection & exhibitions. Choose your own size, print material & frames & have your masterpiece delivered straight to your door. ...

This work was painted as the high altarpiece of the church of S. Alessandro, Brescia. The solemnity of the central scene of the Nativity is relieved by a vision of rejoicing angels occupying the upper part of the panel. On either side, panels depict Saint Alexander (lower left) & Saint Jerome in penitence (lower right) with his lion, a stone & a crucifix. Above these lateral panels are Saint Gaudioso (upper left) & Saint Filippo Benizzi (upper right). The strongly Venetian character of Romanino's work is most apparent in the heroic & richly coloured figure of Saint Alexander (Alessandro), who is in the place of honour, at the right hand of the Holy Family, as befits the patron saint of the church. Centre panel 265 x 117.2 cm; lower side panels 159.5 x 64.2 cm & 159.1 x 64.8 cm; upper side panels 74.2 x 64.9 cm & 74.2 x 65.2 cm. ...

The design, which is probably Venetian in origin, is known in several versions. One has been attributed to Tintoretto. This picture may have been executed in the Veneto. The date is uncertain. ...

The painting is probably a mature work of about 1740, but nothing is known about its origin. The subject is unusual, though not unique, in combining the themes of the Nativity & the Trinity. A similar, though not identical, subject was treated by Murillo in his painting ' The Two Trinities' in the National Gallery. ...

The 12 main panels of the altarpiece, one of the largest to be commissioned in 14th-century Florence, are in the National Gallery Collection. The predella shows scenes from the life of Saint Peter & is dispersed in different collections. The painting was commissioned for the church of San Pier Maggiore in Florence, probably by the Albizzi family. The accounts of 1370 show that a certain Niccolò, probably Niccolò di Pietro Gerini, designed the altarpiece. It was probably painted by Jacopo di Cione & assistants. It was completed in 1371. In the centre of the composition are Christ & the Virgin, dressed in white & gold, & seated upon a canopied throne surrounded by angels. The panels to each side are densely crowded with saints; to the left a prominent Saint Peter carries a model of San Pier Maggiore. The middle tier of the altarpiece, which would have been supported by heavy buttresses, showed (from left to right) the Nativity, the Adoration of the Kings, the Resurrection, the Maries at the Sepulchre, the Ascension & Pentecost. In the three pinnacles above, the Trinity appeared in the centre with adoring angels on each side. A later, more fluent, Florentine version of the theme is ' The Coronation of the Virgin' by Lorenzo Monaco. ...

An angel appeared to the shepherds (right background) & they came to adore the Child Jesus (foreground). The Three Kings (centre background), guided by a star, are seen on their journey to Bethlehem to honour the new-born Jesus. The angels hold scrolls. The picture was probably painted by a follower of Sodoma, perhaps from his design. ...

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. ...

Three versions of this subject are known, including one in the Hermitage, St Petersburg. It is not known which of the three was the one exhibited at the Salon of 1775. Evidently a popular composition, it was also engraved in 1785. Le Prince specialised in ...

This view is from the Citadel of Copenhagen towards one of the bridges of the moat. The artist lived with his family in the Citadel until 1833 & this canvas may have been painted as a souvenir for Kobke's mother, the first recorded owner of the picture. ...