The Nativity (1584)

"The Nativity" (1584) is a work by Giovanni Battista Paggi. About the period around 1584: The sixteenth century includes the High Renaissance in Italy, the Mannerist generation that followed it, and the Northern Renaissance of artists such as Dürer, Holbein, and Bruegel. Elsewhere, the Mughal court in India developed a distinctive tradition of miniature painting, and printed images continued to travel widely between countries. It is listed in the Religion collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Religion, a short history: Buddhist painting, Hindu devotional imagery, and Islamic calligraphy and ornament each have conventions of their own. Religious painting is among the largest bodies of art ever made, from altarpieces, icons, and illuminated manuscripts to devotional prints.

On onlly.art "The Nativity" is sold as a digital download (Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI). The files are delivered by email after payment, so nothing is shipped: you print locally, choosing the paper, size, and frame yourself. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Before printing, compare the proportions of the file with your frame so that nothing important is cropped. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Matte and fine-art papers reduce glare in bright rooms, while glossy papers give stronger contrast and deeper blacks.

Italian, 1554–1627

If you like the visual language of Giovanni Battista Paggi, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.