Francesco di Giorgio Martini: Rome in Ruins

<p>The nativity scene is perhaps the best known visual depiction of the birth of Jesus. It is <em>the</em> 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 <em>Adoration by the Shepherds</em> is a unique portrait of the nativity that conveys Luke's subversive message. In this piece, Rome is laid low.</p>