The Nativity of Christ in Venice

(1687 Venice – 1767 same place). The Nativity of Christ with the Holy Spirit. A night scene with the Child lying in a manger on blankets, to whom Mary turns with reverence, closeness, love, and humility; above Him hovers the dove of the Holy Spirit. This late Baroque work, executed around 1730–1740, features effective treatment of light and color and is considered one of the main representatives of Venetian Rococo alongside Tiepolo. The sought-after and revered artist was the founder of the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice and served as its president from 1759 to 1761. Pittoni received many significant commissions from Italy, Germany, Austria, and Poland. The painting is likely an earlier study or excerpt from Pittoni’s well-known large-scale painting "The Nativity with God the Father and the Holy Spirit," created around 1740, in the National Gallery in London (Inv. No. NG6279; dimensions 222.7 cm x 153.5 cm), where the present small composition is entirely focused on the figural group of the Madonna with the Holy Spirit. Although this figural group largely corresponds to the other painting, the treatment of light and color is distinctly different. The painting in London has a brighter, more vibrant color treatment and soft lighting compared to the nocturnal, effectively depicted situation. Among other comparable paintings are "La Tête de Vierge" (The Head of the Virgin), painted by Pittoni around 1730, in the Museum of Fine Arts in Strasbourg, as well as another version of Mary (circa 1730–1735) in the State Art Gallery in Berlin (Inv. No. 1918). Oil on canvas, relined; 28.5 cm x 23.5 cm. Frame. Accompanied by an expert opinion by Professor Dr. Robert Eigenberger, Vienna, May 1971.