Guest post by Alisse Frandsen
Artists through the ages have created beautiful works of art to illustrate the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. The Brigham Young University Museum of Art has collected pieces to help our patrons celebrate Christmas all year long. Explore the Christmas story with us through these and other beautiful works of art.
Annunciation
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”Luke 1:30-31
Beatrice Parsons (1870-1955), Annunciation, 1897-1899, oil on canvas, 45 1/8 x 72 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1937.
Nativity
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”Luke 2:13-14
Brian Kershisnik (b. 1962), Nativity, 2006, oil on canvas, 89 x 204 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 2006.
Mother and Child
“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”Matthew 1:22-23
Marianne Stokes (1855-1927), Angels Entertaining the Holy Child, 1893, oil on canvas, 45 1/8 x 72 1/2 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.
Wise Men
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”Matthew 2:1-2
Minerva Teichert (1888-1976), The Three Wise Men, 1937, oil on canvas, 60 x 45 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.
Flight into Egypt
“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.”Matthew 2:13-14
Jean Léon Gérôme (1824-1904), La Fuit en Egypte (The Flight Into Egypt), 1897, bronze, 30 1/2 x 28 x 11 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.
Christ Grows in Wisdom and Stature
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”Luke 2:52
John Rogers Herbert R.A. (1810-1890), Our Saviour Subject to His Parents at Nazareth, 1860, oil on canvas, 40 3/16 × 62 ½ inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art.