The Stable in Bethlehem c. 1520 - 1540

Jean de Gourmont created this engraving, titled "The Stable in Bethlehem," sometime in the 16th century. Gourmont was active during a period of significant religious and social upheaval, including the early years of the Protestant Reformation. His depictions of biblical scenes were therefore made in the context of widespread questioning of religious authority. The choice to depict the Nativity within the ruins of a classical building speaks volumes. On one hand, it emphasizes the humble beginnings of Christianity. Yet the ruined building, with its broken columns, suggests a transition from the old order to the new. The circular composition creates an intimate, almost voyeuristic, experience for the viewer. Consider how the scene reimagines the traditional power structures through a religious lens. Mary is presented as a maternal figure, a powerful counterpoint to the patriarchal norms of the time. Through "The Stable in Bethlehem," Gourmont offers not just a religious scene, but a reflection on the changing world.