Nativity (The Holy Night)

The so-called "Master of Lichtenstein Castle" was an important figure active around 1440 in Vienna. He produced works for feudal lords, who then donated them to the church. His large folding altarpiece for the chapel at Sebenstein Castel included about twenty panels. The museum has two of them. The master depicts the canonical scenes of the Gospel cycle with the elegance of a court painter. The idealized images of the Virgin Mary, Christ and angels contrast with the simple faces of the shepherds who have come to adore the new-born Child. The artist indicates the place of action symbolically: the town, fortifies walls and church on the horizon indicate the town of Bethlehem. In place of the sky is the traditional gold background.