Sandro Botticelli
Mystical Nativity

Date:

1501

108.6 X 74.9 cm

London, The National Gallery

Mystical Nativity

The main theme of Botticelli ‘s Mystic Nativity is one of peace. Christ came and peace was to reign. On the left are the humbly dressed magi and on the right are the three shepherds. In each group, an angel is pointing them towards Mary and the Christ Child. Peaceful expressions are on each figure while angels surround the area showing their emotions above the manger scene, and dancing with joy. Olive branches appear all around the painting symbolizing peace.

Looking closely at the foreground of the painting, six devil-like figures are crawling back into the rocks. They cannot survive in an environment where both the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child have brought so much peace. Evil has fled and now peace can reign.