Nativity

Giovanni di Paolo was a master of the Sienese tradition of decorative and precious painting. Although Giovanni had knowledge of Renaissance advances in rendering spatial relationships, he chose a different style of pictorial storytelling, and created an intricately plotted curving composition, loaded with traditional symbols of Christianity to portray the Nativity, yet also alludes to Christ’s arrest and death. His training as a miniaturist is reflected in the exquisite details, like the fruit trees, and the meticulously painted peacock.