The Birth of Jesus is one of the beautiful 13th Century mosaics crafted by the Italian artist Pietro Cavallini (1259-1330).
The mosaic is installed in Basilica of Our Lady in Trastevere in Rome, Italy. It is one of several mosaics Cavallini created on the subject of the Life of the Virgin. This mosaic of the Madonna and Child is located near the top of the Romanesque campanile in the basilica.
The mosaic places the Virgin Mary at the center of the design with the infant Jesus to her right. They appear to be protected by the wings of angels. Joseph sits nearby and stable animals look on. We also have smaller vignettes of shepherds with their flocks, the North Star and a Latin inscription.
To learn more about this Italian painter and see more examples of his work, please visit our Pietro Cavallini biography.