Birth of Christ 

Mariotto Albertinelli painted this Nativity scene in Italy during the Renaissance. This work reflects the era's complex relationship with religion and art. During the Renaissance, the church remained a major patron of the arts, yet artists increasingly explored humanist ideals and classical forms. Here, the religious narrative is softened by graceful figures in a serene landscape. Albertinelli was part of a vibrant artistic community in Florence. To fully understand this work, we can look to the economic structures of Florence at that time: Who commissioned the artwork? What social class did they belong to? How did the artist navigate religious institutions in the creation of the painting? What political messages might the painting convey? By engaging with these questions, we can fully appreciate the artistic, social, and political context in which this beautiful work was created.