Mary and Infant Jesus

This is the first known image of Mary and infant Jesus, c. 2nd century. The fresco is located in the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome, Italy.

The Nativity by Giotto

Mary accepts her newborn child. Joseph appears exhausted and sits half asleep in the foreground. 

The shepherds look at the angel with gestures of awe and wonder about the unfolding events. The animals seem peaceful and quietly unaware. 

And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 

'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' 

The Adoration of the Magi by Giotto

A part of Giotto's seminal works, this fresco is in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua, Italy