ADVENT CALENDAR 2024

Color illustration of Simeon with the Holy Family.

December 23

SPANISH NATIVITY

Belenes Puig S.L.
Barcelona, Spain
Clay, fabric, metal
2014

In 1961, Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn commissioned artist Maud Petersham to create this color version of a 1955 Christmas card made by Winfred S. Hyatt depicting the biblical story of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Luke 2:22–40). Simeon lifts up the Christ Child while Mary holds a basket of doves in one hand and extends an open-palmed gesture with the other. Joseph stands beside her, his right arm placed on her shoulder. Petersham’s composition is almost identical to the one on Hyatt’s card, but her individual artistic style is evident in this 1961 version. (View the 1955 card here.)

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