Nativity (five figures forming a presepio) 15th century

Antonio Rossellino’s 15th-century "Nativity" depicts the traditional scene of the birth of Christ with five figures: Joseph, Mary, the Christ Child, an ox, and an ass. The piece is a terracotta sculpture featuring a contemplative Joseph, a prayerful Mary, and the Christ Child cradled in a basket between the two animals. The realistic details and expressive poses highlight the intimate moment of the Nativity, a powerful and enduring subject in religious art. This piece, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases Rossellino's mastery of Renaissance sculpture and his ability to evoke emotion through form.