Artwork
Natività
Natività is an oil painting by Giambattista Pittoni. It dates from 1735 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthaus Zürich.
About this work
Overview
Giambattista Pittoni’s *Natività* is an oil painting executed in 1735. The work belongs to the late Baroque and early Rococo period in Venice and is presently part of the Kunsthaus Zürich collection. It presents a quiet interpretation of the biblical birth of Christ, rendered with the soft tonalities typical of Pittoni’s mature style.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the Virgin Mary cradling the infant Jesus, while Joseph watches nearby. Above the figures, a few cherubic angels hover, reinforcing the sacred atmosphere. The scene emphasizes domestic intimacy and spiritual serenity, inviting contemplation of the Nativity’s theological significance through a calm, humanized portrayal.
Technique & Style
Pittoni employs a restrained chiaroscuro, allowing light to model the figures against a warm, earth‑toned backdrop. The palette of muted reds, ochres, and soft blues creates a cohesive harmony, while delicate brushwork suggests the softness of fabrics and infant skin. This approach reflects the transition from Baroque dynamism to Rococo’s lyrical elegance.
History & Provenance
Born in Venice, Pittoni was a founding member of the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice and later its president in 1758. *Natività* entered the Kunsthaus Zürich collection, where it remains on display. The painting’s provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop, illustrating his role in Venetian religious commissions of the early eighteenth century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giambattista Pittoni or Giovanni Battista Pittoni (6 June 1687 – 6 November 1767) was a Venetian painter of the late Baroque or Rococo period.
Adoration of the Shepherds (1690)
Adoration of the Shepherds
The Holy Family
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Nativity
Nativity
Presentation Sketch for "The Holy Family with Saints Anne, Joachim, and John the Baptist" (for Santa Maria in Via Lata, Roma)
Anbetung der Hirten
Aanbidding der herders
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The Light of the World
Birth of the Virgin