Curatorial Notes
To develop his own intimate style, Fra Bartolommeo looked to the most lyrical and harmonious paintings of his fellow artists working in Florence in the first years of the 16th century, including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. When the young artist came under the spell of the ardent Dominican reformer Girolamo Savonarola in 1500, he abandoned his artistic career for several years to join the order, becoming Fra (Friar) Bartolommeo. He made this work after his return to painting in 1504, investing it with a new spirituality.
Artwork Identification
Title The Nativity
Title (PT) A Natividade
Title (ES) La Natividad
Artist Fra Bartolommeo
Artist Bio Fra Bartolommeo (Baccio della Porta; Italian, 1472-1517)
Date 1504–7
Work Type Painting
Location & Collection
Institution Art Institute of Chicago
Source View Museum Page
License Creative Commons Public Domain Mark 1.0
