LOCATION: Aosta, Cathedral, window sV (choir window)

DIMENSIONS: lancet window composed by 2 panels; h. 225 cms. x w. 78 cms.

PROVENANCE: original location

CHRONOLOGY: end of the XV – beginning of the XVI century

AUTHOR: local school

PATRONAGE: De Prez family

SUBJECT: the Nativity. Kneeling Madonna, the Child laying on her mantle on the ground, following traditional Northern iconography which is reflected also in a few naturalistic details. On the right, the standing figure of St. Joseph, whose face has been lost. On the left, two angels in prayer. An ox and a donkey near by in the hut, depicted with great realism. Above the Virgin’s head, three angels holding a scroll, where can be read the inscription: Gloria in excelsis Deo. In the landscape in the background we can find vivid colour and delight in naturalistic detail. The Bishop’s coat of arms stands out in the centre of the first panel.

CRITICAL NOTES: Noteworthy are the luminous and chromatic values. In the Flight into Egypt from Issogne (now in Turin) and in Antoine de Llonye’s paintings we find a similar delight in naturalistic detail. J.-M.-F. Orsières (1834) wrote: "A une fenêtre derrière le chœur on distingue entre autres une tête de St. Joseph. Cette tête est fort appréciée par les gens de l’art. Un amateur en a offert 500 francs".

CONDITIONS: in bad conditions: many lost tesseras (faces), several breakings; the uncoloured frame is modern.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: see Bibl. Aosta Cathedral .

PHOTOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: Archivio CVMA Italia – Dono Mons. Garino

EDITOR: Emanuela Linda Cappa, May 2003