THE NATIVITY BY PIERO DELLA FRANCESCA

The Nativity is probably one of Piero's last works. Here you can see the newborn Jesus stretched out on the Virgin's blue mantle while she kneels in prayer. The three men behind her could be the Magi, one of whom indicates the sky and the star that led them there, but they could also be the three shepherds who came to worship Jesus. The figure sitting cross-legged is probably St Joseph, while to the left a group of wingless angels sing and play the lute. If you look closely you'll see that the lutes don't have any strings: no matter, divine messengers can play without them!