NAŞTEREA DOMNULUI: INTERPRETAREA SUBIECTULUI ÎN COLECȚIA DE ICOANE DIN PATRIMONIUL MUZEULUI NATIONAL DE ISTORIE A MOLDOVEI1.

The coming of Christ into our world was predicted from ancient times, the prophets announced his birth in Bethlehem of Judea in one of the caves near the city. The biblical texts mention the miraculous birth of the Savior, about the angel of the Lord, who announced to the shepherds in the vicinity of the cave this great joy, which shall be to all the people. They also mention the Magi who came to worship him, following the star that went ahead of them, showing them the way. Apocryphal texts come with new details that complete the iconography of the Nativity of Christ. With the establishment of the celebration of the Nativity, an event dating back to the 4th century, the iconographic representations of the feast took shape. In the icons from the NMHM collection, this subject is illustrated in concise compositions with modest background images, with a limited number of figures, accessories and details. Among them, one can distinguish similar at first glance icons with special iconographic schemes, in which scenes before and after the birth of Christ are simultaneously represented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]