CATACOMB OF PRISCILLA

Rome, Italy

The Nativity of Jesus, and related subjects such as the Madonna and Child, the Massacre of the Innocents and the Adoration of the Magi, is one of the most common subjects and important influences in art in history.  Countless artists have attempted to tackle the Nativity over the last two thousand years.  From early amateurs to Renaissance masters; from the first crèche of St. Francis of Assissi to the stained glass windows of Marc Chagall; the birth and first days of Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most depicted events in art history.

During the first three centuries of Christianity, practitioners and followers worshipped underground, literally.  And that is where the oldest Christian art can be found: deep underground, in the Catacombs of Rome.  Virtually all of the earliest depictions of Christ and the New Testament stories are in these ancient, long neglected tunnels: a 2nd-century painting of the Last Supper in the Catacomb of Domitilla; the Bearded Christ in the Catacomb of Commodilla; the Baptism in the Catacomb of San Callisto.

But among the oldest of all is the depiction of the Madonna and Child in the Catacomb of Priscilla.  Named in honor of a Roman aristocrat who converted to Christianity and who was subsequently martyred during the reign of the Emperor Domitian, many Christians were entombed in the Catacomb of Priscilla in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries. The image of the Nativity in question is located in a niche of a major gallery and is most easily found by taking a tour.  It clearly shows a woman (Mary) holding a suckling infant (Jesus) while a robed man looks on, apparently offering a blessing.  The resemblance between this painting, which was forgotten for many centuries, and later depictions is undeniable.

The Catacomb of Priscilla is located along the Via Salaria on the northeastern side of what was the ancient city.  It is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:30am-5:00pm (closed for lunch).  Admission is E8.00 for adults.  Web: www.catacombepriscilla.com (official website of the Catacomb of Priscilla)