I have wanted to paint this since I knew I was to be artist in residence at Lincoln Cathedral. It is, of course, the Christian nativity scene.

The shapes of the three pieces were designed to echo the west front doors of the Cathedral and the illuminated borders were inspired by one of the Cathedral’s own medieval manuscripts. The shepherds tend Lincolnshire longwool sheep, and the Cathedral is visble on the hill through the stable window. Setting a Biblical scene in familiar surroundings would have been common in medieval art. The design of the inner border in the stable scene was taking from the ceiling design of one of the Cathedral chapels.

 

Nativity 3000

 

Lincoln Cathedral Nativity triptych – 24 carat gold leaf, shell gold and watercolour.

Central image size 22 x 18cm, shepherds and kings 19.5 x 10.5cm.

 

The frames for these three pieces have been handmade from solid English oak by my husband.