Public collection via the Cleveland Museum of Art
AT-00010228The Nativity
About the Artwork
This painting is believed to be a remaining component of a six-panel altarpiece. The large central panel is now preserved in the Museu National d’Art de Catalunya in Barcelona. Ferrer collaborated with the painter Pere Garcia de Benavarri on this commission. Spanish works like these often feature elaborate treatment of the gold background, evident here in the exuberant raised decoration (called pastiglia) in the haloes. As a symbol of his dominion over the world, Christ holds an orb in his left hand; he bestows a blessing with his right hand. The Virgin kneels above him in rapt adoration. Using the wattle fence almost as a church pew, two shepherds express humble piety; one removes his hat and the other clasps his hands in prayer.
Provenance
c. 1457-1908: Church in Peralta de la Sal, likely sold to Celestino Dupont 1908-?: Celestino Dupont, France ?-1938: French and Company, New York, NY, sold to Frank H. Ginn 1938-1953: Frank H. Ginn, Cleveland, OH, gifted to the Cleveland Museum of Art 1953-: The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.
Quick Overview
- Artist
- Jaume Ferrer the Younger (Spanish, Catalonia died c. 1460/70)
- Date
- c. 1457
- Medium
- oil, tempera, and gold on wood panel (fir)
- Dimensions
- Framed: 187.3 x 139.1 x 14 cm (73 3/4 x 54 3/4 x 5 1/2 in.); Unframed: 172.7 x 124.4 cm (68 x 49 in.)
- Type
- Painting
- Classification
- Painting
- Department
- Medieval Art
- Credit line
- Gift of Francis Ginn, Marian Ginn Jones, Barbara Ginn Griesinger, and Alexander Ginn in memory of Frank Hadley Ginn and Cornelia Root Ginn
- Accession no.
- 1953.660.2
More by Jaume Ferrer the Younger in museum collections
Open-access museum record · AT-00010228
Powered by Art Trackers