# Nativity \(scene 2\) [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [DUCCIO di Buoninsegna]() - Date: 1301-1350 - Technique: Tempera on wood, 44 x 45 cm ## Commentary Although remaining faithful to Byzantine iconography, the Nativity scene pays greater attention to space, which is well distributed and amplified by the measured rhythm of the gestures. The narrative is enriched with descriptive details, combining facts drawn from Luke and from the apocryphal gospels, such as the two midwives bathing the Child \(probably Salome and Zelomi\) and the ox and the ass, while Joseph is portrayed in his usual thoughtful attitude, sitting outside the grotto. <p> <table align=left cellpadding=5 border=1 width=320 bgcolor="\#99cccc"> <tr valign=middle><td><img src="/support/gif/listen.gif" border=0 valign=middle> Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 12 minutes\):<br><a href="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/music1/14\_cent/gregorian\_chants.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true"><b>Gregorian chants</b></a> </td></tr></table> ## Related artworks - [Adoration of the Magi \(detail\)]() - [Adoration of the Magi \(scene 3\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(detail\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(detail\)]() - [Agony in the Garden \(scene 6\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Announcement of Death to the Virgin \(panel 1\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(detail\)]() - [Annunciation \(scene 1\)]() - [Appearance Behind Locked Doors \(detail\)]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()