The Nativity (c. 1450)

This page presents "The Nativity" (c. 1450), created by Petrus Christus. The catalogue places it in Religion. The format is portrait. Background on Religion: Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints. Christian art follows long-established iconography, such as the Madonna and Child, the Annunciation, and the Crucifixion. Historical background, c. 1450: In East Asia, the Ming dynasty in China and the Muromachi period in Japan continued their own long traditions of ink painting and calligraphy. Printing with movable type spread across Europe in these decades, and woodcuts and engravings began to circulate images far more widely than hand-painted work ever could.

Everything for "The Nativity" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

Dutch, 1410–1475

If you like the visual language of Petrus Christus, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.