Sacred Images: The Christmas Story in Renaissance Art
Dec 18, 2026, 12:00 PM ET<a href="https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sacred-images?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="https://smithsonianassociates.org/ticketing/programs/sacred-images?utm_source=&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=&utm_content=&promo=276223">smithsonianassociates.org…</a>
The Christmas story has inspired some of the most affectionate, gentle, and intimate images in the history of Western art. How the biblical narrative was portrayed in Renaissance art dramatically evolved over time, mirroring changes in society and shifts in religious attitude. Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo offers a lavishly illustrated exploration of the Christmas story as told through the period's paintings. ( World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)