Caravaggio's painting of the nativity is, in many ways, a familiar scene. Mary and Joseph sit beside the child Jesus, while an angel hovers above them.
A shepherd leans on his staff, and an ox surveys the scene. But in an interesting twist, the artist also depicts two figures who are not mentioned in the Gospel -- largely because, at the time of Christ's birth, they were not yet born.
One of the figures, St. Francis of Assisi, is depicted standing behind the holy family. He seems to have arrived in the traditional, brown Franciscan robes, his hands folded. The other figure, St. Lawrence, stands in the forefront in his gold-colored deaconate garb.
One of the figures, St. Francis of Assisi, is depicted standing behind the holy family. He seems to have arrived in the traditional, brown Franciscan robes, his hands folded. The other figure, St. Lawrence, stands in the forefront in his gold-colored deaconate garb.
