Artwork
The Holy Night (The Nativity)
The Holy Night (The Nativity) is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Carlo Maratta. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.
About this work
Overview
The Holy Night (The Nativity) is a 1655 oil painting by Carlo Maratta, a prominent Italian Baroque artist.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the Nativity scene, with the Virgin Mary holding the newborn Jesus, surrounded by three angels, conveying a sense of quiet reverence and devotion.
Technique & Style
The work employs chiaroscuro, with a dark background and a soft, golden light illuminating the figures, creating a serene atmosphere. Maratta's classicizing style is evident in the composition and the rendering of the figures.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister collection, having been created for the Roman art market, where Maratta worked for prominent patrons, including popes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Carlo Maratta or Maratti (18 May 1625 – 15 December 1713) was an Italian Baroque painter and draughtsman, active principally in Rome where he was the leading painter in the second half of the 17th century.
