The Nativity 1629 - 1687

"The Nativity" is a black chalk drawing on paper by French artist Louis Licherie de Beurie, created between 1629 and 1687. The drawing depicts the biblical event of the birth of Jesus Christ in a stable, with the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and a host of angels, shepherds, and kings gathered around the newborn babe. The drawing is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and exemplifies Licherie's masterful use of line and shading to create a sense of depth and movement in the composition. The scene is dominated by the central figure of the Virgin Mary, her soft features and flowing robes contrasting with the more agitated figures of the shepherds and kings. De Beurie uses subtle shading and cross-hatching to give the drawing a sense of dimensionality and depth, adding realism to the figures and their garments. The artist's meticulous attention to detail and anatomical accuracy is evident in the drawing, which serves as a study for a larger painting or tapestry. The drawing stands as a testament to the enduring power of the Nativity story and the artist's ability to translate religious themes into compelling visual art.