Stories
Does Peruzzi’s St. Joseph Have a Sixth Toe?
There is debate about the way Peruzzi has painted St Joseph’s foot. Senior Curator of Art, Anne Stewart, explains all.
peruzzi illuminated
Image © The National Gallery, London.
Welcome to our hub for all things The Nativity by Baldassare Peruzzi.
An Introduction
During the High Renaissance, over five hundred years ago, Baldassarre Peruzzi was, after Michelangelo and Raphael, the most important artistic figure working in Rome.
Around 1515, he painted this tender Nativity, a night scene showing Mary, Joseph and the infant Christ. The story of why this painting is in the Ulster Museum, and how we know so much about it, is rather remarkable.
Before the Nativity arrived in Belfast, conservation and scientific analysis took place at the National Gallery in London. Due to this remarkable partnership, we now have a wealth of new information about Peruzzi and his working practices.
The Nativity is the first High Renaissance painting in a public collection in Northern Ireland.
Explore our series, Peruzzi Illuminated, as we guide you through the journey of scientific analysis to the installation of The Nativity.
Art History
“It’s a painting that I think attempts to win you over by charm.”
Hear from Matthias Wievel, former Aud Jepson Curator of 16th-Century Paintings at The National Gallery, London.
Matthias explores Peruzzi, his influences and what The Nativity represents.
Scientific Analysis
"It's telling us something about the context in which this work was made..."
The pinks and blues of Mary’s robe are more complex than you might think.
Enter the fascinating world of scientific discoveries and go behind-the-scenes with Marika Spring, Head of Scientific at The National Gallery, London, as she reveals what she learnt from The Nativity, Peruzzi and his painting techniques.
Conservation
“Eyes can pick up on texture, more than they can colour.”
Join Anne Stewart, Senior Curator of Art, as she goes behind-the-scenes with Olivia Stoddart, Robert Gavron Conservation Fellow, The National Gallery, London to see her work on the conservation of The Nativity.
Olivia had to repair some damages, and had to learn Peruzzi’s technique.
Installation
"You look at it differently in the gallery...”
Go behind-the-scenes with Senior Curator of Art, Anne Stewart, and the rest of the team at the Ulster Museum.
See how much work goes into mounting a painting like The Nativity.
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This 16th century rare artwork by Peruzzi (1481-1536) is the first High Renaissance painting to enter a public collection in Northern Ireland