The Nativity

ca. 1665–70

Not on view

One of the best known of all Spanish artists, Murillo spent most of his life in Seville, where he established an important drawing school. Many sheets from his hand have survived. This drawing is typical of the finished compositions he made late in his career. It is carefully signed in the lower left, and the letters "fe" after his surname are an abbreviation of the Latin fecit, or "made by." Many of Murillo’s drawings were preparatory sketches for paintings. However, given his fame and his role as a teacher, it is possible that he made this drawing as an independent work, perhaps to be sold to a collector.

Artwork Details

Title: The Nativity
Artist: Bartolomé Estebán Murillo (Spanish, Seville 1617–1682 Seville)
Date: ca. 1665–70
Medium: Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, over traces of leadpoint or soft black chalk
Dimensions: 10-3/4 x 9 in. (27.3 x 22.9 cm)
Classification: Drawings
Credit Line: Purchase, Clifford A. Furst Bequest, by exchange, and Harry G. Sperling Fund, 1995
Object Number: 1995.375
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso), Stefano da Verona (Stefano di Giovanni d'Arbosio di Francia) Italian, Pen and brown ink, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (recto); pen and brown ink, brush with touches of brown wash, over traces of charcoal or black chalk (verso) — Three Standing Figures (recto); Seated Woman and a Male Hermit in Half-length (verso)
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