Presented by Dr. Andrea Bolland, Associate Professor of Art History, UNL

Sun. December 18, 11:30am-Noon, Mayflower Hall

The presentation will showcase artistic depictions of the nativity of Jesus from the earliest centuries of Christianity through the Renaissance. The earliest works emphasize the regal status of Mary and the divinity of her son, but over the centuries, paintings and sculpture show their relationship in increasingly tender ways. The talk will move from the earliest depictions, in which the ox and ass serve as Jesus’ babysitters while his parents are elsewhere, to scenes in which Mary is shown as a tender, loving mother, Jesus as a believable infant, and Joseph (for centuries depicted as a bit of an outsider) a doting father. All are welcome to join for this fascinating presentation!