In Rembrandt’s portrayal of the nativity scene, the attention was entirely focused on the Babe in the manger. He did this by painting a shaft of light so that it falls exclusively on the Christ-child. Although he included other figures, they are shrouded in shadows. Rembrandt wanted nothing to detract from the significance of that Baby—who was God in the flesh. The painter wanted Christ to be the sole object of adoration.
