This lovely fragment, probably from the main altar at Fontenay, depicts the Nativity in a remarkably different way.
Ox and ass watch over the Child as a typically aged, infirm Joseph dozes on his crutch. But look at this Mary. Bégule describes her as
reposing on a bed, her right arm gracefully folded beneath her head.
Well, she’s on a bed all right. But there’s nothing “gracieuse” about her posture.
That’s not repose. That’s exhaustion.
