This painting of the birth of Jesus originated as a black-and-white digital artwork created on an iPhone. The digital piece became a reference for a larger canvas painting.
The painting features the Holy Family— Jesus, Mary, and Joseph—set against a starry night backdrop. Mary is portrayed lying on her back, physically weak and exhausted after giving birth, emphasising her humanity and the realities of motherhood. Cradling her newborn, she entrusts the baby to Joseph, who warmly and openly embraces the child.
In this portrayal, I highlight Joseph not just as provider and protector, but as a nurturing, compassionate father—diverging from the typical stoic depictions in religious art. His affectionate gesture expresses quiet acceptance and deep love, embracing his role as father despite knowing Jesus is not his biological son.
In this reimagined portrayal of the Nativity I invite viewers to refl ect not only on the divine but also on the deeply human aspects of the Holy Family, celebrating the tenderness, love, shared wonder and the extraordinary roles each member of the Holy Family played in this sacred moment.
The bluish night sky draws inspiration from Van Gogh’s luminous palette, capturing the depth and wonder of the moment. Unlike traditional depictions of the Nativity, which feature a single, prominent Christmas star, this sky is fi lled with constellations. Among them is a particularly bright and spectacular star with a tail streaking across the heavens, resembling a comet—an interpretation inspired by Giotto’s ‘Adoration of the Magi’ and the longstanding idea of the Star of Bethlehem as a celestial marvel.
The vibrant night sky enhances the sense of awe, marking the miraculous birth of the Saviour in a way that feels both celestial and grounded in human experience.
