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  • NATIVITY
  • NATIVITY
  • FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
Ivory reliefs and figurines were instrumental to the spread of iconography. Lightweight and precious, they allowed images to travel. This panel, carved in Constantinople in the 11th century, was once a cover for a missal, now it is kept in the Vatican Museums. The charming scene includes nursing animals, Jesus’ first bath, and an angel embracing a shepherd, but Joseph remains alone, lost in thought.
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© Public Domain