Nativity of the Virgin

The scene following the meeting Of Joachim and Anne the Golden Gate and preceding the Presentation of the Virgin, in the cycle the life of the Virgin Mary. The gospels make no reference to Mary before the Annunciation, and scenes of her birth and childhood were drawn from t] Golden Legend. That work drew on the very early apocryphal New Testament literature, in particular the Protoevangelium or Book of James, which says of Anne's confinement, "And her months were fulfilled, and in the ninth month Anne brought forth. And she said unto the midwife, 'What have I brought forth?' And she said, 'A female.' And Anne said, 'My soul is magnified the day,' and she laid herself down." The scene, which is seldom represented before the 14th century shows a chamber with Anne in the background lying on her be perhaps attended by midwives, while to the fore the infant Mary is being bath by other women. Neighbors arrive bringing gifts, as at the birth of John the Baptist. Since Joachim was a wealthy man the room may be richly appointed. In the 16th century the scene is sometimes set in the nave of a church, perhaps z allusion to the child Mary being "consecrated to the Lord," and brought up the Temple. Although the Council of Trent aimed to purge apocryphal elements from the Christian story, the nativity of the Virgin continued to be present in the 17th century. The celebration of the event as a Church festival led to some elaboration in its portrayal, for example by introducing attendant angels who sometimes descend on clouds from heaven. An aged Joachim, the husband of Anne, may be seen gazing (rather like Joseph in the Holy Family or in Christ's Nativity) at the infant who lies in the lap of a midwife.