Nativity Scenes in Art for Christmas Eve

A sampling of works that capture the birth and adoration of Christ

Dec 24, 2024

Of the Christian faith’s many mysteries, the Incarnation has always been the most baffling to me. Artists of the past two millennia have attempted to portray the wonder of the Nativity of Christ, and in this post for Christmas Eve you’ll find a selection of some of my favorites.

The works gathered here depict the Nativity and the subsequent visits of the shepherds and the Magi. I love the myriad ways visual artists have chosen to depict these sacred scenes, each emphasizing different aspects of them: the royal, the humble, the transcendent. And while Mary is shown consistently with devotion and maternal attentiveness, Joseph (like most new fathers) fluctuates between helping, watching, sleeping, and adoring.

I hope you enjoy this selection of Nativity works. As always, I’d love to hear which ones stand out to you. Merry Christmas!

Allan Rohan Crite, *Adoremus te Domine*, 1948; lithograph

In my search for Nativity scenes, I stumbled upon a new-to-me artist, American painter and printmaker Allan Rohan Crite (above). Browsing his work led me to this beautiful African American spiritual, “Oh, Po' Little Jesus,” sung by the Morehouse College Glee Club, arr. Leonard de Paur, on New Born King (1999). While not a traditional Christmas carol, it wonderfully captures the underlying meekness of the holiday.

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The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)

*The Nativity* from a French Book of Hours, 15th century

Correggio, *Nativity with St. Elizabeth and St. John the Baptist*, 1510-1512; oil on panel

Albrecht Dürer, *The Nativity*, 1504; engraving

Conrad von Soest, *Nativity* from the Niederwildungen Altarpiece, ca. 1403

Caravaggio, *Nativity with Saint Francis and Saint Lawrence*, 1609

Donatello, *The Nativity*, ca. 1425; terracotta relief

Circle of Donatello, *The Nativity*, ca. 1465; stucco and polychrome relief

Edward Coley Burne-Jones, The Nativity, 1887; watercolor

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:8-14)

Henry Ossawa Tanner, *Angels Appearing before the Shepherds*, ca. 1910, oil on canvas

Giorgione, *The Adoration of the Shepherds*, ca. 1505; oil on panel

El Greco, *The Adoration of the Shepherds*, 1612-1614; oil on canvas

Rembrandt van Rijn, *The Adoration of the Shepherds: A Night Piece*, ca. 1657; etching

When [the wise men] had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2: 9-11)