The Nativity
1516
Medium
engraving
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Gift of Dr. Paul J. Sachs
Accession Number
1941.2.14
Art Historical Context
Behold *The Nativity* (1516), a delicate engraving by Ludwig Krug, master goldsmith and printmaker from Nuremberg, Germany. Created during the Northern Renaissance, this print captures the sacred moment of Christ's birth, surrounded by Mary, Joseph, angels, and shepherds in a humble stable. Krug's precise incisions on a metal plate—inked and pressed onto paper—reveal his skill in rendering intricate details, from the folds of robes to the expressions of awe, making fine art accessible beyond the elite. Engravings like this were revolutionary in the early 16th century, bridging the gap between...