The Nativity with Saint Bridget

Pietro Perugino (school of) 1450 - 1523

Summary

The setting for this panel of the Nativity is the vicinity of an Italian hill town. In the centre, before a manger and a stable containing the ox and ass, lies the Infant Jesus, his head supported by two bundles of hay. On the right, the Virgin, a shepherd and St Bridget in her nun's habit kneel in adoration; on the left are Joseph and a poor, young shepherd. The background consists of an exquisite rocky and wooded landscape, with a castle on the hill in the upper left. This is one of a set of four predella panels, which would originally have been inserted in the lower section, or predella, of the frame of a large altarpiece. Each panel presents a theme for contemplation. Predellas were frequently produced by studio assistants. This may be the work of a follower of Perugino.

Display Label

The Nativity with St Bridget early 1500s Follower of Pietro Perugino (1446-7 - 1523), Tempera on panel Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem and laid on bundles of hay but here the setting is a little Italian hill town. On the left a young shepherd worships Him and St Joseph holds a flowering branch to show that he was chosen to be Jesus’ earthly father. The work is unusual because it includes a nun who has been identified as St Bridget. Around 1370 she wrote a text about the Nativity including a description of Mary after Christ’s birth: She immediately worshipped him, her head bent down and her hands clasped. After this, the Virgin was often shown kneeling in paintings illustrating the birth of Christ. As St Bridget was depicted in the altarpiece, it may have come from a church dedicated to her. Henry Whitehead bequest, through the Art Fund 1947.185