Picture in Focus: Nativity Scene by Otto Schubert

December 6, 2020

Picture in Focus: Nativity Scene by Otto Schubert

As we count down the days to Chrstmas, I have a new Nativity scene to add to the on-line Sacred Art Pilgrim Collection by German Artist Otto Schubert with all the visual delights of the Advent calendars for which his homeland is famous. While a Virgin Mary of robust peasant stock nurses the Baby Jesus, a travel weary Joseph sleeps, and the ox, ass and a reverant angel keep vigil, pairs of winged putti carry a fruit basket, fold the laundry, and play a duet with violins. Look through the open window and you can just make out the hosts of heaven appearing to the shepherds. It is hard to imagine that the creator of this charming manger scene from Dresden was once denounced by the Nazis as a "degenerate artist." During the postwar Communist regime in East Germany, Schubert found a politically safe niche for himself as an illustrator of children's books, the time period when this Christmas piece was painted. (John Kohan)