The two panels by Beato Angelico depicting the Nativity and the Oration in the Garden formed a small altar with two or three doors and were donated to the city of Forlì by the Forlì abbot Melchiorre Missirini, secretary of Antonio Canova. In the painting of the "Nativity" or "Nativity Scene" the scene is outlined by the painter with a few essential elements. The Virgin and Saint Joseph are in the attitude of adoring the Child, lying naked on the ground on golden straw. In the hut you can see the ox and the donkey. On the roof, nine small angels are intent on dancing joyfully, while a tenth angel flies into the night sky to announce the good news to the shepherds.

Texts: Lorenza Montanari, Martina Neri - Museums Unit of the Municipality of Forlì