The Nativity of Christ in Russian painting. Biblical scenes in Russian painting Paintings depicting the birth of Jesus Christ

Birth of Jesus Christ

Birth of Jesus it happened like this.

When Joseph heard that Mary was expecting a child, he was confused. Maria had not yet become his wife, and he could not understand who the father of the child was.

The Lord sent His angel to Joseph. In a dream, an angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Joseph, to accept Mary your wife. She will have a Son from the Holy Spirit, name the baby Jesus, which means “Savior,” for Jesus will save people from their sins.”

Joseph calmed down. Shortly before Jesus was born, he came home worried. The Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus, wanted to establish how many people lived under the rule of Rome. Therefore, he ordered a census throughout the country. All residents had to go, each to their own city, to register there.

Joseph was born in Judea, in the city of Bethlehem, located one hundred and sixty kilometers from Nazareth.

Mary, awaiting the birth of her Son, and Joseph were forced to go on a tedious journey. They moved forward slowly.

When Joseph and Mary finally arrived in Bethlehem, all the places in the hotel were already taken. The owner sympathized with them and offered them his barn for an overnight stay. It so happened that the Son of God was born among animals in a manger.

This event did not go unnoticed. Soon the first guests arrived. Shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem suddenly saw a bright light in the night. An angel appeared to them and announced the good news of the birth of the Lord.

“Don't be afraid! For today a Savior was born to you in the city of David. This is Christ, the Lord. And here is a sign for you: you will find the Child wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manger!”

When the shepherds looked up to heaven, they saw a large army of angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all the people who love God!”

Then the light went out and the angels disappeared. Silence fell again, and only the stars shone as before.

The shepherds rose. “Let's go to Bethlehem and try to find the Baby,” they decided and set off, having difficulty finding a narrow path in the darkness.

Holding their breath, they entered the barn.

And here, in the manger, lay the Baby Jesus, wrapped in warm swaddling clothes. Everything was exactly as the angel predicted for them. Mary and Joseph were sitting next to each other.

The shepherds quietly knelt down and bowed to the Baby. Then they told Mary and Joseph what the angels had told them.

When the shepherds returned to their flocks at dawn, they met the first travelers on the streets and told them about the Good News.

Maria remembered everything and kept it in her heart. When the time came, Mary and Joseph went to the temple and carried the Child there, as required by Jewish law.

They gave the Child the name Jesus, as the angel told them.

The birth of Jesus Christ

People of Jesus it turned out that way.

When Yosip found out that Maria was watching the child, he was ruined. Maria has not yet become his friend, and she cannot understand who the child’s father is.

The Lord sent His angel to Joseph. In the dream, the angel said to him: “Don’t be afraid, Joseph, accept Mary, your squad. She will give birth to the Holy Spirit, called Jesus, which means: “Savior”, because Jesus betrays people from sins.”

Josip calmed down. Not long before the birth of Jesus, we came home and turbovan. The Roman ruler, Caesar Augustus, wanted to determine how many people were living under the siege of Rome. He ordered that a census be carried out throughout the entire country. All residents had to go to their place to register there.

Joseph was born in Judea, in the town of Bethlehem, located one hundred and sixty kilometers from Nazareth.

Maria, who was expecting the people of Sina, and Yosip were worried about going on a hefty trip. The stinks poked their way forward.

When Joseph and Maria arrived at Bethlehem, all the places in the hotel were already occupied. The Lord has had enough of it and has used his barn for nothing. So it turned out that the Son of God was born among the creatures in a manger.

The event did not go unnoticed. The first guests arrived shortly after. The shepherds in the fields of Bethlehem sang a rapt in the bright night. An angel appeared to them and announced the good news about the Lord’s people.

“Don't fight! For today the Savior was born to you at the place of David. This is Christ, the Lord. And this is a sign for you: you will find Ditina Spovita in the manger! ”

When the shepherds looked up to heaven, they saw a larger army of angels singing: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all people who love God! ”

Then the light went out and the angels appeared. There was silence again, and the stars were no longer shining as before.

The shepherds rose. “Let’s go to Bethlehem and try to find Nemovlya,” the stinks wafted and set off on the road, forcibly walking in the dark tight stitch.

Having fogged them up, the stench went into the barn.

And here, in the manger, lay Nemovlya Jesus, sunbathed in the warmth of pelelushka. Everything turned out exactly as the angel told him. Maria and Joseph sat in charge.

The shepherds quietly knelt down and bowed to Nemovlyaty. Then they told Mary and Joseph what the angels had told them about.

When the shepherds turned back to their flocks on Svitanka, the stinks, buzzing in the streets of the first roads, told them about the Good News.

Maria remembered everything and kept it in her heart. When the hour came, Mary and Joseph went to the temple and carried Ditina there, as required by the Jewish law.

The stench was given to the Unspoken by the name Jesus, as the angel told them.

In this lesson we will look at what to draw for Christmas, and also look at a step-by-step drawing on how to draw Christmas, the birth of Christ with a pencil step by step.

So, what to draw for Christmas. In Western countries, this holiday is celebrated on a grand scale, just like we do. We are Christians, not all, of course, there are many other religions in our country, but the majority, only countries former USSR Orthodox, and in the West Catholics. At Catholic Christmas they like to display figures like these, maybe they’ve even seen them in films, the movie “Home Alone” comes to mind, but I don’t remember which part.

In connection with this, you can draw the Birth of Jesus, a cradle with a baby and Mary and Joseph nearby. The pictures are enlarged.

Just a Christmas scene.

The Magi go to bow and bring gifts to the newborn prophet, a star is shining that shows the way to him, if I don’t confuse anything. This is depicted in silhouettes, for me, very beautifully.

Below is an illustrated picture, well, this is for the pros.

These were the options associated with the birth of Jesus. Now let's see how you can draw Christmas differently. Saint Nicholas (Santa) looks at the star, and you can also simply distribute it in .

Here is your loved one, or rather two, holding a piece of paper with the inscription “Merry Christmas!”

Here are more options for Christmas related to nature: , twig, church.

Winter landscape and bluebells.

This old postcard, you see after the letters “s” and “m” there is a solid sign (b).

You can simply use caramel sticks, leaves, and ribbons.

Now let's see, our Christmas drawing lesson, this is what we should end up with, I decided to mix the New Year theme with the birth of Jesus.

I took part of the drawing from this picture.

Look again where the circle should be and draw it with an animal feeder inside.

Then draw the hay that sticks out from the top and from the cracks.

Sheep, star and radiance.

Bells (you should already know how to draw them, there is a lesson) and spruce branches. Branches are drawn simply, draw a curve from which small curves extend, which are at a close distance to each other.

AND finishing touch- this is, we show the ringing of a bell and decorate the inscription “Merry Christmas” on the sides with these decorative lines.

The Nativity of Jesus Christ was like this: after the betrothal of His Mother Mary to Joseph, before they were united, it turned out that She was pregnant with the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, being righteous and unwilling
to announce Her, wanted to secretly let Her go. But when he thought this, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary your wife, for what is born in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. And all this happened, so that what was spoken might be fulfilled
The Lord through the prophet, who says: Behold, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they will call His name Immanuel, which means: God is with us. Rising from sleep, Joseph did as the Angel of the Lord commanded him, and received his wife, and did not know her. [How] at last She gave birth to Her firstborn Son, and he called His name Jesus. (Matthew 1:18-25)

In those days, Caesar Augustus issued an order to take a census of the entire earth. This census was the first during the reign of Quirinius in Syria.
And everyone went to sign up, each to his own city.

Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, to enroll with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for Her to give birth; and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7)

Christmas. V. P. Vereshchagin. 1875–1880 Cathedral of Christ the Savior Christmas. G. Gagarin Joseph's Dream (Do not be afraid to accept Mary your wife). A. A. Ivanov. 1850 g
Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ. K. Lebedev

Christmas - one of the main Christian holidays, established in honor of the birth of the baby Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. Despite the fact that Catholics celebrate it on December 25, and Orthodox on January 7, this is the same holiday, but according to different calendar styles - old and new. It should be noted that for Orthodox Christians, Christmas is the second most important holiday after Easter, but Catholics venerate it even higher than Easter. This is explained by the different meanings that representatives of these faiths attach to the concept of “Christmas”: Orthodox believers more reverence spiritual rebirth, that is, the resurrection of Christ after death and His ascension into heaven, while Western religious movements place higher value on the possibility of salvation, which came into the world with the birth of little Jesus, that is, his physical birth.

The history of the holiday is interesting, but not too clear. The fact is that nowhere in the Bible is the exact date of birth of the baby Jesus mentioned. None of the four Gospels say that Christ was born on December 25 (or January 7 according to the new style). Old Testament only mentions that Christ was born in 5508 from the creation of the world.

With the Nativity of Christ, a new era began, and the holiday began to be celebrated already in the first centuries. The date of Christmas - December 25th has been accepted by the Church since the 4th century.

In the 4th century, Constantine, the Roman emperor, renounced the pagan faith, accepted Christian teaching himself and legalized it on the territory of his country. Obeying the will of the emperor, new church immediately began an active struggle against pagan cults. But it was not so easy to destroy the usual foundations, so in some issues the priests had to make concessions to fans of ancient cults. One of these concessions was to give special significance to the day of December 25th. Before the introduction of Christianity, people worshiped the Sun, so the period of the winter solstice, that is, the last days of December, was especially revered. During this period, the Sun approached the Earth, daylight hours became longer and brighter, and this was perceived as a symbol of the victory of the forces of light over the forces of darkness. Christian priests saw this as a good sign and agreed to set the feast of the Nativity of Christ at the end of December, for the birth of the son of God is nothing more than the birth of the true Sun. In other words, the early Christians wisely decided that it was easier to imbue traditional pagan beliefs with new meaning than to eradicate them “with fire and sword.”

In 337, Pope Julius I approved the date of December 25 as the date of the Nativity of Christ. Since then, the entire Christian world celebrates Christmas on December 25th. The Russian Orthodox Church also celebrates Christmas on December 25, but December 25, according to the Julian calendar of the Church, which did not accept the reform of Pope Gregory XIII, comes on January 7 - according to the new, Gregorian style.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into this sinful world to save humanity from sins and eternal destruction. With His birth a new era began on earth. Even our chronology begins with the Nativity of Jesus Christ. The story of the birth of Jesus is amazing. Just think, He, the Son of the Creator of the world and the universe, had to be born in an animal stable. But let's start from the beginning.

Annunciation of the Conception of Jesus

In the small town of Nazareth, in the north of Israel, there lived a girl named Mary. She loved the Lord and had a pure heart. One day, Angel Gabriel, sent by the Lord, appeared to her and said: “Rejoice, O Blessed One! The Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women." Mary, seeing Him, was embarrassed. But the Angel said to her: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with the Lord; and behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”
Mary was not married at the time, but was betrothed to a godly believer named Joseph. She asked Angel: “How will this be when I don’t know my husband?” The angel answered her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon You, and the power of the Most High will overshadow You; therefore the Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Mary answered: “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to Your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Having learned that Mary was expecting a child, Joseph wanted to let her go, but the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Joseph, son of David! Do not be afraid to accept Mary your wife; for that which is born in Her is of the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you will call His name Jesus; for He will save His people from their sins.”.

Birth of Jesus Christ

A detailed account of the birth of Jesus Christ is given only by the Evangelist Luke:

“Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, to enroll with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. And while they were there, The time came for her to give birth; and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."(Luke 2:4-7)

The reason why Mary and Joseph, then living in Nazareth, went to Bethlehem was the census. According to the decree of Emperor Augustus, every resident of the Roman Empire had to come “to his own city” to facilitate the census. Since Joseph was a descendant of David, he headed to Bethlehem. The road was long and difficult, they walked through mountainous terrain, and when they reached Bethlehem and began to look for a place to stay for the night, it turned out that all the inns were full.
There was no free space for them in the hotels. And they had to settle in a cave (nativity scene), where the shepherds drove their cattle during bad weather.

That same night, Maria felt that it was time to give birth. It was there, in the cave, that Mary gave birth to her son, swaddled him and put him in a manger. The fact of the birth of the holy baby was announced by a light in the sky.Star of Bethlehem.

After the birth of Jesus, the first of the people to come to worship him were the shepherds, notified of this event by the appearance of an angel. And a shining angel descended from heaven to them: “Fear not, I bring you good tidings of great joy that will come to all people, for today in the city of David a Savior has been born, who is Christ the Lord, and this is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”. When the angel disappeared, the shepherds decided to go into the cave and see for themselves what was said - and they actually saw a baby sleeping in a cattle feeder.

According to the Evangelist Matthew, a miraculous star appeared in the sky, which led three wise men (wise men) to the baby Jesus: Gaspar, Melchior and Belshazzar. According to Eastern prophecies, the fact of the appearance of the star meant the time of the coming into the world of the Son of God - the Messiah, whom the Jewish people were waiting for. The Magi headed to Jerusalem to ask where the Savior of the world should be looked for. Hearing about this, King Herod, who ruled Judea at that time, became agitated and called the Magi to him. Having found out from them the time of the appearance of the star, and therefore the possible age of the King of the Jews, whom he feared as a rival to his reign, Herod asked the Magi: “Go and carefully investigate the Child and, when you find it, notify me, so that I too can go and worship Him.”(Matt. 2.8). Following the guiding star, the Magi reached Bethlehem, where they worshiped the newborn Savior, bringing Him gifts from the treasures of the East: gold, incense and myrrh. Then, having received a revelation from God not to return to Jerusalem, they departed to their own country another way.

Eight days later the baby was given the name Jesus, which means “The Lord is Salvation.” Subsequently, he was also called “Christ,” which means “anointed one.” This “prefix” in ancient Israel was previously used only in relation to kings and high priests, since elevation to high rank was accomplished through anointing. By giving the epithet “Christ” to the son of God, the prophets emphasized that he is the true King of the world, who at the same time brings people the light of faith.

Having learned about the birth of Christ, and finding that the wise men did not listen to him, the angry King of Judea Herod ordered the death of all male infants under the age of 2 years. The Gospel tells that Joseph, having received a warning about danger in a dream, fled with the Mother of God and the Child to Egypt, where the Holy Family remained until the death of King Herod.

The story about the details of the birth of Jesus Christ is also present in two apocryphal sources: the Proto-Gospel of James and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew. According to these sources, due to the lack of space in the inn, Joseph and Mary were forced to spend the night in a cave, which was used as a stable to shelter livestock from the weather. When Mary felt the onset of labor, Joseph went to look for the midwife, but when he returned with her to the cave, the birth had already occurred, and such a light shone in the cave that they could not bear it, and a little later the light disappeared and a baby appeared and came out and took the breast of his mother Mary. The birth of Christ occurred before Joseph brought the midwife. At the same time, Salome is called an old woman and relative of Mary, that is, coming from the family of King David. Mentioned in the apocrypha, Salome the midwife witnessed the miracle of preserving the virginity of the Virgin Mary.

Christmas Eve

The Nativity of Christ ends the 40-day Nativity Fast (November 28 - January 6). Christ not only advised to cleanse the spirit and flesh with the help of fasting, but he himself set an example of abstinence. Just remember His 40-day fast in the desert and his answer to the tempting devil: “... Man will not live by bread alone, but by the word that comes from the mouth of God alone.” Orthodox Church looks at fasting as an opportunity to cleanse oneself from worldly filth: through the cleansing of the body, the cleansing of the spirit and thoughts is achieved.

Christmas Eve is called Christmas Eve . On Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, strict fasting is observed. Traditionally, kutia made from wheat or rice with honey is eaten. But it is allowed to start the meal no earlier than the first star appears in the sky - this symbolizes the Star of Bethlehem, which announced the birth of the baby Jesus.

On the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, Orthodox Christians greet each other with the words: “Christ is born!” , answering them - “We praise Him!” .

), and thus the holiday of Christmas, celebrated together with Epiphany, was celebrated in the East on January 6. The exact division of these holidays throughout the Christian Church - Western and Eastern - occurred at the end of I U - beginning of V century. As Church historians (M.E. Posnov, in particular) note, the feast of the Nativity of Christ was borrowed by the Eastern Church from Rome, while the feast of the Epiphany first appeared in the East, and then was transferred to Rome. Here it is necessary to point out that the Western and Eastern Churches over time began to attach different meanings to the concept of Epiphany, which was reflected in the choice of the events of gospel history celebrated on this holiday. Thus, the Eastern Church established itself in the celebration of Epiphany as the Baptism of Christ - the first appearance of Jesus among the people and the establishment of the dogma of the Trinity - the idea of ​​​​the appearance of the persons of the Divine. In turn, the Roman Catholic Church, under Epiphany, also celebrated on January 6, implies the appearance of a star to the Eastern Magi as the first revelation to the pagans of the appearance of the Messiah (the Feast of the Three Magi, the Three Kings). Baptism, if the Sunday, when it is always celebrated, does not coincide with January 6, is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church on the first Sunday after this date.

The circumstances stated above are extremely important for a correct understanding of the Christmas cycle of plots as it was formed in Western art. The Gospel story of the birth of Christ is, in fact, only the above words of Luke. Often, however, in Western art the title “Nativity” also refers to scenes Worship of the Shepherds And Adoration of the Magi (we are not talking in this case about interpretations of the plot of the birth of Christ that are not based at all on the gospel narrative, for example, the worship of Mary, the worship of kings and others - see below about these interpretations and their literary programs), while the episode Adoration of the Magi, strictly speaking, is the scene of the Epiphany. Moreover, if the pictures have a plot Birth of Christ, as a rule, include subsequent episodes, forming, in essence, a circle of episodes from the feast of the Epiphany, then the scenes of this last holiday - Adoration of the Magi, Worship of Kings- do not always include an image of the actual birth of Christ.

So, we deliberately separate the plot of the birth of Christ itself, as direct illustrating the story of Luke, from the following stories of the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Adoration of the Magi (kings), as indirect proof of the birth of Christ. Let us note that the combination of these subjects in painting reflected the original confusion by the Church itself of the circumstances of the birth of Christ and his appearance, that is, the holidays of Christmas and Epiphany.

The first source from which Christian artists borrowed the basic idea of ​​the birth of Christ should have been the Gospel. Matthew only states the fact of birth: “Finally She gave birth to Her firstborn Son, and he [Joseph. – A. M.] He called His name Jesus” (Matthew 1:25). This happened in Bethlehem. Luke's story is somewhat more detailed: it mentions the lack of space in the inn, that Mary swaddled the Child, and that He was laid in a manger. From Luke's further account it becomes clear that Joseph was present at the birth (Luke 2:16). But if we compare the depictions of the birth of Christ in painting with these testimonies of the Gospel, it becomes clear that they include details that are not in the Gospel. Thus, the iconography of the Birth of Christ, while preserving what the Gospel gives, goes further in developing external details. This includes the place where the birth of Christ took place, the manger in which the Savior was laid, the ox and donkey at the manger, the star above the image of the scene of the birth of the Baby, the position of the Mother of God who gave birth, the actions of Joseph, the Angels and the shepherds, the washing of the Baby, the midwives and their behavior, features architectural decoration of the stage. There is a theological basis and literary programs for all these plot details.

The first images of the birth of Christ date back to the era of ancient Christian sarcophagi, but date back no earlier than IV century. The scene, as a rule, is very simple: a swaddled Baby lies in a manger under a canopy, an ox and a donkey are bending over him, Mary and Joseph are present, and sometimes shepherds are depicted. Often, when a star appears, as on one of the Roman sarcophagi discovered onVia appia, we also see the three wise men (in Phrygian caps).

So, if we do not limit ourselves only to the testimony of Luke, but try to identify a wider range of literary sources for the theme of the Birth of Christ, it turns out that this plot breaks up in Western art into several iconographic types that were firmly established by the Renaissance. To outline them, it is necessary to consider a number of “motifs” included in this plot and find out their literary program: 1) Arrangement of the Virgin Mary (in a house [under a canopy] or in a cave); 2) Two maids and the washing of the Child; 3) Adoration of the Child; 4) Star; 5) Angels; 6) Flowers; 7) An armful of hay; 8) Shoes. Let's consider them sequentially.

ARRANGEMENT OF THE VIRGIN MARY (IN THE HOUSE [UNDER THE CANOPY] OR IN THE CAVE)

Artists have always had many problems with determining the place where the scene of the birth of Christ should be placed. On the one hand, they relied on the testimony of Matthew: “And entering the house (...)” (Matthew 2: 11). Matthew's speech here is about the Magi who came to bow. But, strictly speaking, the Magi appeared a lot later, in order to consider their arrival “into the house” as proof that the the birth of Christ took place here. However, early artists preferredThey decided to interpret the setting of this plot in exactly this way. It can be stated that in the early depictions of the birth of Christ the action takes place under canopy,What does the house symbolize? During the Renaissance, artists depictedthe house where the Virgin Mary gave birth, in the form of a dilapidated building (shack) - shesymbolized the Old Testament, which was replaced by the New Testament by Christ( ).

Robert Campin. Birth of Christ (1425). Dijon. City Museum ).

The artists' choice of another place for the Virgin Mary giving birth - a cave -based on the mention of her by Justin Martyr in his “Dialogue with Tryphon” ( II century), which saw in such a birth of Christ the fulfillment the prophecies of Isaiah; cf.: “When the performers of the mysteries of Mithras say that heborn of a stone, and the place where they dedicate those who believe in it is called cave, then don’t I see that they borrowed this from the words of Daniel (...) and also from the prophet Isaiah (...)?” (Justin Martyr. “Dialogue with Tryphon”, 70) withprophecy of Isaiah: “He will dwell on the high places; his refuge- non-approach rocks" (Isa. 33:16). This tradition is clearly formulated in many apocriphysical texts, in particular in the Proto-Gospel of James (which, apparently well, Justin Martyr knew), where it says: “(17) And he took Her off the donkey and said to Her: Where can I take You and hide Your shame? For the place here is deserted. (18) And he found a cave there and brought Her (...)” (Protoevangelium, 17– 18). Can indicate other literary sources of this pictorial tradition. First images of the birth of Christ in a cave refer to VI - VII centuries. The birth of Christ was depicted in the cavePietro Cavallinion his mosaic inChurch of Sita Maria in Trastevere in Rome.

Pietro Cavallini. Birth of Christ (1291). Rome. Church of the Site Maria in Truste faith.

In general terms its compositionfollows the canons of Byzantine iconography, but in pictorial forms bears the stamp of Roman tradition. This fresco is extremely interesting becausecombines several literary programs–evidence of the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of Matthew, the Proto-Gospel of James, and in addition, contributeslocal - Roman - detailing the interpretation of the plot. The artist borrows from Lukeshaft: 1) hotel image–house with a tower in the foreground; inscription explains: “taberna meritoria"(lat. –dwelling for rent) (“it was notplaces in the hotel." OK. 2:7), 2) the gospel to the shepherds: An angel with a parcel, on which text:

« Annutio uobis gaudium magnum»

(Latin – “I proclaim to you great joy." OK. 2:10).

From Matthew the artist borrowed a star, whichbrought the Magi to Bethlehem. Jacob (from the Proto-Gospel) has a cave in which the Virgin Mary gave birth to, as well as the image of Joseph frozen in thought:“...and went to look for a midwife in the area around Bethlehem. And so I, Joseph, walked and didn't move. And he looked at the air and saw that the air was motionless, he looked at the vault of heaven and saw that it had stopped and the birds of the air stopped in flight (...)” (Protoevangelium, 18). And finally, my contribution toThe program for this mosaic was developed by Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi, known worthy philanthropist of the early Trecento: in the foreground next to the hut and the tower shows a source of fragrant oil, which, according to legend, cloggedin Rome at the time of the birth of Christ. It was placed over this sourceChurch of Santa Maria in Trastevere, as evidenced by the inscription under picture:

« Jam puerum jam summe pater post tempora natum / Accipimus gentium tibi quem nos esse coevum / Credimus hipcqi clei scaturire liquamina Tibrum»

(Latin - “He, the Child and the eternal Father, as our equal, as a contemporary, was born among us. We believe that from here the myrrh (mercy) pours out, like the waves of the Tiber”).

Only to someone who does not know what a khan is, that is, a hotel in the East - the kind in which Joseph and Mary could have stayed - may it seem that the testimonies of Luke and Matthew do not agree with each other. In fact, “house” and “cave” can mean almost the same thing. The khan or caravanserai in the East was a low building, its rooms had walls on only three sides, and everything that happened in the room was open to the gaze of an outsider. There was also a place (yard) for cattle, and the room was separated from the yard by only a few steps. But the most interesting thing from an archaeological point of view is that the khans were built, or rather, attached to the numerous caves in those places. It was one whole. Thus, the attempts of artists known to us to reconcile these two evidences, depicting the entrance to the cave and the canopy above it (Botticelli).

Sandro Botticelli. The Birth of Christ (1500). London.

National Gallery.

Wed. With Giotto. Birth of Christ (1304 -1306). Padua. Scrovegni Chapel ; cm. WORSHIP OF THE MAGI), do not sin so much against the truth.

TWO MAIDS AND THE WASHING OF THE CHILD

Sometimes the birth of Christ is interpreted by artists as a birth scene itself (cf. BIRTH AND NAMING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND BAPTIST). In this case, two midwives are depicted (Salzburg (?) Master).

Salzburg (?) master. Birth of Christ (c. 1400). Vein.

Gallery of Austrian art.

We learn the details of this story from the same Proto-Gospel of Jacob: the midwife, whom Joseph found, witnessed the birth of the Savior (“Salvation was born to Israel”); she reported this to Zelomia (otherwise – Zelemia; in the Protoevangelium – Salome): “(19) Salome, Salome, I want to tell you about a wonderful phenomenon: a virgin gave birth and retained her virginity. And Salome said: As the Lord my God lives, until I stretch out my finger and test her virginity, I will not believe that a virgin has given birth. (20) And as soon as Salome extended her finger, she cried out and said: Woe to my unbelief, for I dared to tempt God. And now my hand is taken away as if on fire. And she fell on her knees before the Lord, saying: Lord God of my fathers, remember that I am from the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, do not disgrace me before the son of Israel, but show me mercy for the sake of the poor: For You know that I have served You in Your name Yours and from You I wanted to accept retribution. And then the Angel of the Lord appeared before her and said to her: Salome, Salome, the Lord has listened to you, raise your hand to the Baby and support Him, and salvation and joy will come for you. And Salome came and took the Child in her arms, saying: I will worship Him, for a great king of Israel has been born. And immediately Salome was healed and came out of the cave saved” (Proto-Gospel of James, 19 – 20).

The name of the second midwife, according to tradition, the one who did not doubt the divine origin of the Baby, is Zelomia.

As for the washing of the Baby by midwives, there is no story about this either in the Apocrypha or in other monuments of ancient writing. The artists conjectured this scene based on the presence of midwives. But the sinlessly born Baby did not need any cleansing (washing). Moreover, he did not need the midwives themselves. Their persistent presence, however, in the paintings of the old masters can be explained by the desire to have witnesses to the miraculous birth of Christ.

The theme of the Adoration of the Child (see below), as well as other subjects directly adjacent to the plot of the birth of Christ, in particular the Annunciation to the Shepherds or the Adoration of the Shepherds ( Kampen ). Here we recognize the maids not only by the characteristic gesture of Zelomia’s “paralyzed” hand, but also by the words that are inscribed on the characters’ parcels. Thus, Zelomia, depicted with her back to the viewer, has the following inscribed on her ribbon:

« Virgo peperit filium»

(Latin – “The virgin gave birth to a son”)

Zelomia has, firstly, her name and, secondly, the words:

« Credam cum probavero»

(Latin - “I will believe when I clearly imagine”])

The Angel speaking to Zelomia:

« Ta, puerumet sanaberis»

(Latin - “Touch the Baby and you will be healed”)

This interpretation of the theme of the Birth of Christ disappeared after it was condemned by the Council of Trent (1545-1563).

WORSHIP OF THE CHILD

The cult of piety, which in various forms spread widely in XIV – XV centuries, its roots go back to previous centuries - XII – XIII century. It grew out of the mysticism of Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153), the founder of the Bernardine order, the grain of whose teaching was love for the Infant Christ and for Christ the Passion-Bearer, as well as for the Virgin Mary. Jacob Vorraginsky in The Golden Legend often quotes Bernard. He in his reasoning about the birth of Christ special attention draws attention to the poverty of the situation in which it occurred. Francis of Assisi (1181/2 – 1226) took the cult of “holy poverty” to its extreme.

The development of a program for depicting the scene of the Birth of Christ as the Adoration of the Child in the Late Middle Ages was also influenced by the works of the Franciscan monk Giovanni de Caulibus (Pseudo-Bonaventure), in particular his “Meditaciones vitae Christi"("Reflections on the Life of Christ"), as well as Brigid of Sweden (c. 1304 - 1373), a seer who visited Jerusalem in 1370 and managed to publish "Relationships de vita et passione Jesu Christi et gloriosae virginis Mariae matris eius"(Revelations about the life and passion of Jesus Christ and the glorious Virgin Mary, His Mother"). The revelations of this nun very soon became known to contemporaries. This is confirmed by the fact that her descriptions, in particular the scene of the Birth of Christ, soon after the publication of her work began to be reproduced in paintings that interpreted this plot as the Adoration of the Child (sometimes artists even depicted herself in the costume of the Order of Brigittes, which she founded).

Since both texts - Giovanni de Caulibus and Brigid of Sweden - related to this plot are extremely important for understanding the details depicted by the artists, we present them in full.

GIOVANNI DE CAULIBUS (PSEUDO-BONAVENTURE)

“When the hour came to give birth - it was about midnight on Christmas Day - Mary stood up and leaned against a column that was here. Joseph sat nearby, saddened, probably because he could not prepare everything necessary for the birth. He stood up, took hay from the manger, laid it at the feet of the Virgin Mary and turned away. At that moment, the Son of God left the Mother’s womb without causing Her any pain. So He ended up on the hay at the feet of His Mother. After washing Him, She wrapped Him in Her veil and laid Him in a manger. We were told that the ox and the donkey bowed their heads over the manger in order to warm the Baby with their breath, because they understood that in such cold the barely covered Baby needed warmth. The mother, however, knelt down, prayed and offered thanks to God: “I thank You, Lord and Heavenly Father, for giving Me Your Son, and I pray to You, Eternal God, and to You, the Son of the Living God and My Son.”

BRIGITTA OF SWEDISH

“When I appeared before the manger of the Lord in Bethlehem, I saw a Virgin of extraordinary beauty (...), tightly covered with an elegant tunic, through which the virgin body was clearly visible (...). A most virtuous old man was with Her; he brought an ox and a donkey; they entered the cave, and the man tied the animals to a manger. Then he went out and brought a candle to the Virgin, attached it to the wall and went out, so that he was not there at the birth of the Baby. Meanwhile, the Virgin took off Her shoes, threw off the white cape that covered Her, took off the veil from Her head, placed it at Her side and remained in one tunic, with wonderful golden hair falling loose on Her shoulders. Then She took out two small pieces of linen and two pieces of wool, which She brought with Her to wrap the Child who was destined to be born (...). And when everything was ready, the Virgin with great respect knelt in a praying position and turned her back to the manger, Her face was turned to the east, and her gaze was directed to the sky. She was in ecstasy, immersed in contemplation, She was overwhelmed with admiration for divine tenderness. And standing thus in prayer, She suddenly discovered that the Baby in Her womb was moving, and unexpectedly She gave birth to a Son, from Whom came an indescribable light and brilliance, so that the sun could not compare with Him, and even more so the candle that Joseph had placed here, the divine light completely absorbed the material light. And this birth was so unexpected and instant that I could neither detect nor understand through which member of her body She gave birth. I saw a Baby who had come from nowhere, lying on the ground - naked and emitting light. His body was completely clean. Then I heard the singing of Angels, it was unusually gentle and beautiful. When the Virgin realized that she had already given birth to Her Child, She immediately began to pray to Him: Her head bowed and her arms crossed on her chest. With the greatest respect and reverence She said to Him: “Glory to Thee, My God, My Lord, My Son.”

Examples of scrupulous adherence to literary sources describing the birth of Christ, and primarily the works of Giovanni and Brigitte, are paintings on the theme of the Adoration of the Child by Dutch artists from the golden age of painting in this country. A classic example is the “Adoration of the Child” by Rogier van der Weyden in the triptych of the so-called “Bladelen Altar” (otherwise called the “Middelburg Altar”) (Rogier van der Weyden. Adoration of the Child (Bladelen Altar) (1446-1452). Berlin-Dahlem. Picture gallery of the State Museum). Thus, here is a column depicted, against which, according to Giovanni, the Virgin Mary leaned (the column in the Adoration of the Child plays a double role: as a detail of Giovanni’s story and as an allusion to the future suffering of Christ, when he, tied to the column, will be scourged; see THE FLAGELLING OF CHRIST. The column became one of the instruments of the Passion of the Lord; she appears in the hands of the Angels in the scenes where they carry these instruments). “The most virtuous old man”, a candle, the light of which is drowned out by the wonderful glow of the Child - all this was borrowed by Rogier from Brigitte. According to her description, the artist also created the image of the Virgin Mary - in a white tunic, with flowing golden hair, standing in a prayerful pose. Often Jesus responds to Mary’s prayer with a movement of his hand, which can be considered a blessing gesture ( ).

Unknown master from Avila. Birth of Christ (1464-1476). Madrid. Lazaro Goldeano Museum

GUIDING STAR

At first glance, the frequent images of a star in the scene of the Birth of Christ have a simple explanation: this is the star that appeared to the Magi and led them to the place of Christ’s birth. Perhaps, in most cases, artists included this motif in the scene of the Birth of Christ, based on the idea that the star appeared at the moment of the birth of the Child. The worship of the Magi with a star is such a common iconographic type (see. WORSHIP OF THE MAGI), which seemed natural to use a star in this case.

However, in this plot the star may have a different explanation. In the Proto-Gospel of James, which, as we have already seen, was widely used as a literary program, there is no direct reference to a star, but only speaks of an extraordinary light in the cave where Christ was born. And if this source was the basis for many other iconographic “motifs,” then it is quite reasonable to assume that it also explains the image of bright light in the cave using the traditional image of a star. In this case, it would be a mistake to see in this star always and only the star of the Magi.

ANGELS

A host of angels praying and singing a song of praise is mentioned in both Giovanni and Brigitte. We see them in Rogier van der Weyden and many other artists. The number of angels can have symbolic meaning. So, in “Adoration of the Child” there are fifteen of them depicted.

Hugo van der Goes. Altare Portinari. (1473-1475). Florence.

Uffizi Gallery.

An explanation of the symbolism of this number is found in the contemporary and compatriot artist and preacher of the Dominican Order, Alan van der Klip (Alain de la Roche, 1428 - 1475): the complete cycle of prayers of the Brotherhood of the Rosary, to which this preacher belonged, contains fifteen prayers "Pater noster"("Our Father"); alternating with one hundred and ten prayers " Ave Regina", they symbolize the fifteen events of the PassionChrist's. “15” is also the number of virtues: 4 “cardinal” (courage,wisdom, moderation, justice), 3 “theological” (faith, hope,love) and 7 “basic” ones (humility, generosity, chastity, self-satisfaction, temperance, calmness, hope) and 2 more – piety and repentance. In total - sixteen, but moderation and abstinence in essentially the same thing. Thus different There are only fifteen virtues. And finally, another possible explanation for the number 15: this is the number of “psalms”ascension" (song of ascension)– Psalms 119 – 133. According to their number, it is acceptedalso depict the number of steps of the temple in the paintings “Introduction of the Virgin”Mary into the Temple" (see the Dresden painting by Cima da Conegliano "The Presentation of the Virgin Mary to the temple"). Another number of steps in the “Introduction of the Virgin” plot Mary to the Temple" -10- symbolizes the Ten Commandments (see Ghirlandaio. History of Mary: a) Birth of Mary, b) Introduction to the Temple. Florence. Church of Santa Maria Novella. Tornabuoni Chapel)

GLORIA

Often artists, especially Dutch ones, give muses into the hands of angelscal instruments and notes, and if these notes reproduce realmusical works, which was also done quite often, these are hymns onLatin text from Luke:

« Gloria in Excelsis Deo et in Terra Pax Hominibus Bonae Voluntatis »

(Latin – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”

OK. 2:14)

Cm.: . Birth of Christ (1512). Naples. National Museum and Galleries of Capodimonte

Jacob Cornelis van Oostzanen. Birth of Christ (1512). Naples. National Museum and Galleries of Capodimonte

In the book that is held by an angel in the foreground of the picture, a four-voice hymn is recorded on this text, all four musical parts - bass, tenor, alto and soprano - are easy to read. Angels perform this hymn on different instruments - shawls, trumpets, psalterium; there are many singing and playing angels depicted but also in the background; There are thirty-three angels in total, which corresponds to the number of years Christ lived.

The engraving “Annunciation to the Shepherds” by a Dutch master is extremely interesting from a musical point of view. XVI century by Johannes (Jan) Sadeler the Elder “Annunciation to the Shepherds” (based on the composition of Maarten de Vos).The angel in the center holds a parcel with the text from the Gospel of Luke:

Ecce enim evangelizo vobis gaudium magnum quod erit omni populo quia natus est vobis hodiesalvatorqui est Christus Dominus [in city David]

(Lat. - Do not be afraid; I proclaim to you great joy, which will be to all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2, 10 - 11).

The angels soaring in the sky have parts of a nine-voice motet "Gloria in excelsis» . All musical parts are reproduced very accurately.

Johannes (Jan) Sadeler the Elder. “Annunciation to the Shepherds” (composition by Maarten de Vos).