Netherlandish artist Petrus Christus, completed between the early 1440s
and early 1460s. It shows a nativity scene bordered with grisaille
(monochrome) archways and faux sculpted reliefs. Christus was influenced
by the first generation of Netherlandish artists, especially Jan van
Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden, and in its sense of grace, simplicity
and naturalism, the devotional panel is characteristic of art of that
period. The unusually large panel – perhaps painted as a central
altarpiece panel for a triptych – is nuanced and visually complex. It
reflects the 14th-century Devotio Moderna movement and contains complex
Christian iconography, juxtaposing Old and New Testament saints and
figures with great subtlety. The sculpted archway reliefs depict Old
Testament ideas of sin and punishment, signaling the advent of Christ's
sacrifice. The composition employs geometric forms and a bold use of
color. In the 1930s, Andrew Mellon bequeathed it to the National Gallery
of Art in Washington, as one of several hundreds of works donated from
his personal collection. It was restored in the early 1990s.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_(Christus)>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1066:
Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror was crowned King of
England at Westminster Abbey, although he still faced rebellions over
the following years and was not secure on his throne until after 1072.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_Conqueror>
1776:
American Revolutionary War: At night, George Washington and his
army crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against the
Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton the next morning.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trenton>
1926:
Emperor Taishō died of a heart attack, and was succeeded by
his son, Hirohito, who ruled until his death in 1989, becoming the
longest-reigning Emperor of Japan.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito>
1989:
Romanian Revolution: Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife
Elena were condemned to death under a wide range of charges and
executed.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Ceau%C8%99escu>
2007:
A tiger at the San Francisco Zoo escaped from its enclosure and
attacked three patrons before it was shot and killed.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Zoo_tiger_attacks>
_____________________________
Wiktionary's word of the day:
wassail:
To go from house to house at Christmastime, singing carols.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wassail>
___________________________
Wikiquote quote of the day:
The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas
it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And
its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung.
--Phillips Brooks
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Phillips_Brooks>
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