Nativity 1520

Hans Baldung painted this Nativity scene with oil on wood, now held in Munich's Alte Pinakothek. Dominating the scene is the moon, a symbol of cyclical change. Consider the moon, an ancient symbol of the divine, its phases echoing the rhythms of life. The moon that Baldung depicts shares a lineage with Selene of the Greeks, who drove her lunar chariot across the night sky. It echoes in the Islamic crescent, a symbol of guidance, and in the Eastern traditions where it represents tranquility. Note how the moon watches over Mary and the infant Jesus. The maternal and comforting image of Mary repeats throughout countless iterations, from ancient goddesses to Renaissance Madonnas. This image speaks to our deepest subconscious needs, a primal urge to connect with a nurturing figure. Notice the interplay of darkness and light, reflecting the duality of existence. This contrast draws us in, speaking to the human soul's eternal quest for enlightenment, where symbols, old and new, constantly intertwine.