Francesco di Giorgio Martini: Rome in Ruins

The nativity scene is perhaps the best known visual depiction of the birth of Jesus. It is the emblem of the Christmas season. But it is not in the seeing of this scene that we understand its meaning, but rather, in the hearing of the biblical story. It is from the gospel books Luke and Matthew that we know about the birth of Jesus. In today's episode, Andrea takes a close look at Luke's text - chapter 2 verses 1-20. And she shares the work of 15th century Seinese Renaissance man, Francesco di Giorgio Martini. His Adoration by the Shepherds is a unique portrait of the nativity that conveys Luke's subversive message. In this piece, Rome is laid low.