Adolphe Deteix, The Nativity (circa 1935)

ADOLPHE DETEIX (Amplepuis, 1892-1967), école lyonnaise
The Nativity
Circa 1935
Oil on canvas
82 x 60 cm
Signed lower left: DETEIX

This beautiful nativity by Adolphe Deteix is sweet and magical in a similar way to Renaissance nativities painted by the Northern School. In a ruin with an open night sky, Mary and Joseph stand around the crib with the ox and donkey, and beyond, through a window, the three shepherds. In addition to the ox and donkey, there is a big white cat, an owl, and two little finches attentive to the Christ child. All the animals are celebrating His birth. One might think that the painting is a little childish and naive but that would be a mistake. Deteix's composition and sentiment are inspired by Renaissance nativities and should be seen in the context of those by Alsatian painter Hans Baldung Grien (Weyersheim 1485 - Strasbourg 1545), which, as for example, the painting in the Alte Pinakothek in Munich's (last photograph), are also nocturnes set in ruins. Deteix's nativity is as charming as can be imagined, but it is also inspired by great art.