Childbirth Tray

This collage of a wild nativity with a bear Virgin Mary and Christ child surrounded by a murderous leopard and bishop owl was inspired by an Italian seventeenth century childbirth tray. Childbirth trays were meant to commemorate and celebrate the safe delivery of a new child. In medieval folklore, it was believed that the mother bear licked her cub into form. Bears signified both wildness and humanity.

Paper, paint, 24K gold leaf

W. 11 in., H. 11 in.

2024