Dear Friends,

As my modest contribution in commemorating the Christmas Holidays this year, I would like to present at this forum three of the most beautiful Nativities that have ever been painted. I hope you will like them. (NOTE: You may click on the images to enlarge them.)

The first one, a little known 200 x 300 cm fresco by Sandro Botticelli painted 1476-77, is preserved at the church of Santa Maria Novella in Florence (Italy). The composition of the picture, as an arch, suggests that this fresco was once in one of the lunettes in the church.

The Birth of Christ  by Sandro Botticelli

The second one is a 187 x 228 cm oil on wood by Bartolome Esteban Murillo. It was painted from 1650-55 and is treasured in the Museo del Prado, Madrid (Spain).

Adoration of the Shepherds
by Bartolome Esteban Murillo

The third one is a 151 x 213 cm oil on canvas by Charles Le Brun (painted 1689). This wonderful masterpiece may be viewed at the Musée du Louvre, Paris. Its beauty cannot be described in words.

Adoration of the Shepherds
by Charles Le Brun

On this special occasion I will not include further technical data and other information, as I just wanted to provide you with some particularly beautiful paintings of the Nativity of the Lord.

Thank you and, of course, Merry Christmas!

Luis Miguel Goitizolo