In Thursday’s class, we reviewed the works Professor Plesch discussed in the virtual lecture given on Tuesday and then we delved into Hugo van der Göes’ Portinari Altarpiece. This was our first introduction to a nativity scene, and it opened up a whole new set of symbolisms and artistic techniques. The nativity scene represents the encounter between the sacred and the secular. The birth of Christ encapsulates that encounter perfectly. The baby Jesus lies in a central part of the painting and is surrounded by human and animal figures adoring Him. We were introduced to the concept of people removing their shoes in the presence of religious figures (in art) because they are standing on holy ground, which we see occurring with one of the figures in the foreground of the painting. As we discussed this altarpiece, we also talked about the pattern of antisemitism in Christian religious iconography, which is disturbing and important to pay attention to as Christianity looks to gain power and assert dominance through art later in the Renaissance.