The Nativity of the Virgin - Andrea di Bartolo

Panel painting of the birth of the Virgin Mary — Andrea di Bartolo (Sienese, active from 1389 – died 1428), The Nativity of the Virgin, c. 1400/1405, tempera on poplar panel, Samuel H. Kress Collection 1939.1.42

Just like the Annunciation I talked about a while ago, there’s a lot going on in this scene portraying the birth of the Virgin Mary. This stunning panel is one of a trio showing events from the lives of Anna and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary. We’ll find out the surprising way their struggle with infertility ended and how di Bartolo used small touches to turn this religious scene into something wonderfully warm and very human.

And there’s a mystery here! The catalog says this was very likely part of a large altarpiece and that several panels are missing! Click here to see what it might have looked like.

Also check out this video to see how these kinds of panels were created and how artists painted with gold!