2-734-726 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, from a Mir’at al-quds of Father Jerome Xavier (Spanish, 1549-1617), 1602-1604. Since the author of this book on the life of Christ did not specify the kind of animal that carried the heavily pregnant Mary to Bethlehem, the artist depicted her on a camel, strung with bells. He effectively conveys the harshness and discomfort of the journey by painting trees bending to wind, setting the travelers among rocky outcroppings, and surrounding her with strange men. Wearing a green coat, her husband Joseph carries a sword over his shoulder, suggesting that he is ready to face any potential trouble.