An Important Late Byzantine Icon of the Nativity of Christ, Crete, Early 15th century

part of the original panel is now lacking. Also areas of damage and later overpainting can be noted particularly at the sides and lower part of the panel
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The Mother of God reclines on a red pallet at the entrance to a cave against a rough mountain landscape; the swaddled Christ Child lies next to her in an oversized, sarcophagus-like crib and is warmed by the breath of an ox and an ass; the Three Magi approach at left on horseback, guided by an angel above who points out the star of Bethlehem (obscured except for rays of light extending toward the Christ Child); a group of angels between two mountain peaks gesture toward the star; a second assembly of angels to the right of the entrance to the cave kneel in veneration toward the Infant.
Part of the original panel is now lacking, and areas of restoration and later overpainting can be noted.

This icon may be compared to icons preserved in Venice at the Hellenic Institute. See M. Chatzidakis, From Candia to Venice: Greek Icons in Italy, 15th/16th Centuries, Athens, 1993, p. 62, no. 12.

See also M. Chatzidikis, Icons of Patmos: Questions of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Painting, Athens, 1985, pl. 35, p. 87.