During the holiday season, the Provincia di Lecco offers a special insight on the painting called “Natività con Santa Elisabetta e San Giovannino” (Nativity with Saint Elizabeth and Saint John).
The artwork is in the south-east room of Villa Monastero with other paintings, among which the Pastore con flauto (Herdsman with flute) and San Girolamo in preghiera (Saint Jerome in prayer), both of Lombard area. There are also the Ritratto di gentiluomo (Portrait of a gentlemen), and two views of 18th century ruins.
They represent the paintings collection of Villa Monastero, together with the artworks in the Red Room and in the Music Room, belonging to the De Marchi Family.
The Nativity shows a particular night-time setting and the presence of Saint Elisabeth and her son John, the Baptist: this unusual iconography makes the painting very interesting.
The depicting scene reflects similar representations dedicated to the adoration of the shepherds realized between 16th and early 17th centuries, for example the masterpiece of the Emilian artist Antonio Allegri known as Correggio (1489-1534).
The artwork of Varenna shows the same night effect of the Correggio’s artwork, with the light that radiates from the Child and reverberates on the characters who witness the scene. The execution of the work took place by candlelight, as you can read in the detailed sheet prepared by Anna Ranzi.
In the suggestive scenario of Villa Monastero, it is also possible to observe a beautiful Christmas Tree, which recreates the warm atmosphere of the past.
During the holiday season, the House Museum and the botanical Garden are accessible from 8th to 11th December, on 17th, 18th, and 24th December, and from 26th December to 8th January, from 10:00 to 17:00.
