The Nativity 

Arthur Hughes painted 'The Nativity' using watercolour and gouache, reflecting the religious sentiment in Victorian England. The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, of which Hughes was an associate, sought to revive the spiritual integrity of early Italian art. In contrast to conventional depictions of the Nativity, Hughes presents an intimate scene. Mary is depicted wrapping the infant Jesus as angels look on. The setting is a humble stable filled with straw. The composition, colours, and naturalistic details serve a didactic purpose, inviting viewers to connect with the sacred story on an emotional level. To understand Hughes’ work more fully, scholars examine art journals from the period and religious tracts that would have shaped the cultural context in which he was working. This is a testament to the idea that our understanding of art shifts as we study the cultural milieu that shaped its production.