The majestic Biblical account of Christ’s birth as told by Matthew and Luke has inspired many great paintings that have come to the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In this book, a selection of these paintings is sensitively coupled with excerpts from the King James Version of the Bible. Accompanying the words of the Evangelists and the paintings is a lively and thoughtful commentary by Richard Muhlberger, formerly the Museum’s Vice Director for Education. The result is a unique and fascinating journey to Bethlehem. Among the works included are Jan van Eyck’s elegant ‘The Annunciation of the Virgin’, Mantegna’s hauntingly realistic portrayal of shepherds adoring Jesus, and Sassetta’s magical ‘Journey of the Maji’. The topics discussed in the commentary relate to both the religious background of the story and the art. They include such intriguing subjects as who the Maji were thought to be, what the word renaissance means, how Christmas came to be celebrated as a yearly feast, how gold leaf was made, and the ways in which artists have invested everyday objects with spiritual significance. Also included is historical information on the artists and their times. This beautiful book is a treasure to be enjoyed year after year and a reminder for families of the true meaning of Christmas.”

Hardback

Condition – Quite well read; Otherwise OK