O Menino de Belém: da festa do Natal à iconografia da natividade e da adoração

Abstract

The iconographic representation of the Nativity is constant throughout the history of Christianity. In early times, the theme construction follows the setting of the feast of Christmas, but develops into two main themes: the Byzantine theme, centered on the childbirth with Mary lying and a duplicate Infant Jesus, bandaged and in the bath; the Western theme of worship, after the mystery of birth without pain, with Mary kneeling beside the shining Infant. The theme of the Adoration of the Magi, who in the early days of Christianity predominated over the representation of the Nativity, and the Adoration of the Shepherds later are complementary themes of the birth of Christ.