Nativity of Christ 1523

Lorenzo Lotto painted this Nativity scene sometime in the first half of the 16th century. Look at the left of the painting, where a crucifix hangs on the wall, and the angels above the stable who are singing praise, carrying a musical scroll. Catholic piety was expressed through the institutions of the church. Lotto was a deeply religious man who struggled with his relationship to those institutions. His work often reflects an interest in personal spirituality. He made this painting in Venice, in a time where sacred images were becoming a subject of intense political debate. The painting shows a very human Mary and Joseph, in contrast with the divine nature of Christ, as well as the incorporation of the crucifix to indicate the fate of Jesus, from birth to death. Examining the diaries and letters of Lotto, as well as those of his contemporaries, can help us better understand the social context in which he worked and the religious views that shaped his art.