Some more icons "The Nativity"

Russian icons usually are painted with egg tempera on lime boards. They are not large. Their length is not more that 100 cm as usual, often about 50 cm.
The iconography of Nativity is based on the Gospels and the apocrypha, according to which the Virgin brought forth the Divine Child, Christ Jesus in a cave which sewed as a stable. This event was marked by angels singing and the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem, which showed the way to the Magi bringing gifts.

Here we present some more different icons "The Nativity" of different schols. Also there are also their fragments.

The Nativity, late XV-early XVIc., Rostov-Suzdal

Detail: Magi on their Way to Bethlehem.

At the low part of icon "The Nativity" usually are:
- on the left side - the Temptation of Joseph,
- on the right side - Washing the Child,
- also sometimes Saint John the Forerunner.

At the top part:
- the shepherds,
- the Magi,
- the Angels.

The Nativity, first quarter of XV c.,
Novgorod school

The Nativity, 1410-1430, Rublev School, Moskow

Fragment of the Icon of Rublev School:
Astonished Animals and The Divine Child

web-master Petr Zviaguine <BACK TO CLUB-AUDITORIUM PAGE>