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In this altarpiece, Pittoni has depicted both the Nativity (the birth of Christ and his adoration) and the Trinity (God the Father, Christ and the Holy Spirit) – an unusual, but not unique, combination. It was painted around 1740, though we don‘t know for which church it was commissioned. Saint Joseph is slumped in a chair sleeping deeply, while the Virgin Mary kneels in adoration of the Christ Child: together they form the ’Earthly Trinity‘. Above, among glowing clouds, we see God the Father and the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove hovering above the infant Christ, making up the ’Heavenly Trinity'. Colour distinguishes the heavenly realm from the earthly: Pittoni has contrasted the strong blues and greys of the draperies worn by the Virgin and Joseph with the pale tones of God and the angel.
Title
The Nativity with God the Father and the Holy Ghost
Date
about 1740
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 222.7 x W 153.5 cm
Accession number
NG6279
Acquisition method
Bought with a contribution from The Art Fund, 1958
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
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