peruzzi illuminated

An Introduction

Born in Siena, in northern Italy, Baldassare Peruzzi (1481-1536) was an architect, theatre designer, painter and draughtsman. After Michelangelo and Raphael, he was the most important artistic figure in Rome during the first decades of the 1500s, an intensely creative period now termed the High Renaissance. Almost all Peruzzi’s painted works were wall paintings in fresco and much is lost. His oil paintings are extremely rare. The Nativity is the first High Renaissance painting to enter the Ulster Museum collection.

The Nativity was acquired by the Ulster Museum in 2022, following export deferral with the assistance of grants from the Art Fund, the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Department for Communities NI and the Esmé Mitchell Trust. During 2022-23, conservation and scientific analysis of The Nativity took place at the National Gallery, London, as part of the National Conservation Programme supported by the Aldama Foundation.

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 16^th-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.