THE NATIVITY ALTARPIECE

STYLE 

Despite their kneeling positions, the stylised, slim figures on this relief all seem serene and relaxed. This subdued expression is perhaps contributed to by the fewer number of folds in garments that are neither too abundant, nor too defined, though this lack of sharp, well-defined folds is probably due more to the application of several successive layers of polychrome decoration than their original style.

Similarity to other works attributed to Aerst is apparent, such as the face of the midwife that also appears on a similar figure on a relief in the Leuven City Council's Grand Hall, and the peculiar curls of Saint Joseph forming fairly loose ringlets in a very similar way to the beard of Saint Simon and the hair of Saint Peter in the Navas altarpiece in Pamplona.