Focus on this artwork and explore the History.
A series of documents dating to 1511–1513 document progress on the work. From them, Shearman theorises that most of the painting took place in 1513. Andrea wished to leave after completing the frescoes of the life of Philip Benizi de Damiani on the opposite side of the atrium. However, the friar in charge of the frescoes, the sacristan fra Mariano dal Canto delle Macine, insisted that Andrea paint two further lunettes with scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. Andrea agreed, only in return for an increased payment for the final frescoes.
Like the other frescoes in the series, the Nativity was detached from the wall, restored and replaced during the 1960s, which limited its damage from the Florence flood of 1966. The Gabinetto dei Disegni e delle Stampe of the Uffizi includes a late 16th century drawing of the fresco, attributed to Maso da San Friano (n. 6466).
Philip Benizi de Damiani Florence Maso da San Friano Uffizi Florence flood of 1966