This nativity scene by Piero della Francesca in the collection of London’s National Gallery has been re-located from Bethlehem to a summer day in the hills of Tuscany. The town on the right is perhaps Piero’s birthplace, Borgo Sansepolcro. It was made for the artist’s family palace in his home town and is one of the last surviving paintings by Piero before his death in 1492. It remained in Borgo Sansepolcro until it was bought in 1861 by Alexander Barker, who brought to London. The National Gallery acquired it at the Barker sale at Christie’s in June 1874 for £2,415 (2,300 guineas). One of the most admired 15th century Italian painters it is believed that Piero taught Luca Signorelli, who was noted for his use of foreshortening. Vasari says Piero became blind in old age. He was buried in Sansepolcro. The damage to the faces on the right is thought to be the result of over zealous cleaning.
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