The Nativity is a large oil-on-wood panel painting by the Early Netherlandish artist Petrus Christus, completed between the early 1440s and early 1460s. It shows a nativity scene bordered with grisaille (monochrome) archways and faux sculpted reliefs. Christus was influenced by the first generation of Netherlandish artists, especially Jan van Eyck and Rogier van der Weyden, and in its sense of grace, simplicity and naturalism, the devotional panel is characteristic of art of that period. The unusually large panel – perhaps painted as a central altarpiece panel for a triptych – is nuanced and visually complex. It reflects the 14th-century Devotio Moderna movement and contains complex Christian iconography, juxtaposing Old and New Testament saints and figures with great subtlety. The sculpted archway reliefs depict Old Testament ideas of sin and punishment, signaling the advent of Christ's sacrifice. The composition employs geometric forms and a bold use of color. In the 1930s, Andrew Mellon bequeathed it to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, as one of several hundreds of works donated from his personal collection. It was restored in the early 1990s.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_(Christus)

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1066:

Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey, although he still faced rebellions over the following years and was not secure on his throne until after 1072. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_the_Conqueror

1776:

American Revolutionary War: At night, George Washington and his army crossed the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against the Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton the next morning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Trenton

1926:

Emperor Taishō died of a heart attack, and was succeeded by his son, Hirohito, who ruled until his death in 1989, becoming the longest-reigning Emperor of Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito

1989:

Romanian Revolution: Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena were condemned to death under a wide range of charges and executed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolae_Ceau%C8%99escu

2007:

A tiger at the San Francisco Zoo escaped from its enclosure and attacked three patrons before it was shot and killed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Zoo_tiger_attacks

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

wassail: To go from house to house at Christmastime, singing carols. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wassail

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

The earth has grown old with its burden of care But at Christmas it always is young, The heart of the jewel burns lustrous and fair And its soul full of music breaks the air, When the song of angels is sung.   --Phillips Brooks https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Phillips_Brooks