本幅作品為一大型祭壇畫，大多數藝術史學者認為，此幅畫極可能是班范諾透（Benvenuto di Giovanni, 1436-15218）和其兒子吉諾拉姆（Girolamo di Benvenuto, 1470-1524）合作的作品。

兩位畫家的創作時期正處西恩那新舊畫派交替之際，因此他們的作品風格也同時深受傳統與十六世紀新的表現形式所影響，如在人物、構圖上顯得僵硬、制式化、人物仍缺乏實體感；但色彩明暗富變化的處理形式、人物臉部細緻的刻劃或空間深度的處理，皆已呈現新的形式語言；這一新舊畫派混合特色亦可見於本幅描繪耶穌誕生的作品。

畫面包含主祭壇畫即描繪耶穌誕生故事的場景，以及下方仿祭壇畫座架（predella）兩部份。仿祭壇畫座架的部份則分別將施洗者約翰、悲傷的人子(Man of sorrows，即耶穌)及方濟會修士等三人的形像置於圓盤內，施洗者約翰一手拿着寫有ECCE AGNUS（DEI）的布幔，一手指向受難立於棺木中的耶穌，說明耶穌即是上帝的羔羊，為全人類贖罪而生，正好扣合仿祭壇畫座架上方的主祭壇畫主題──耶穌誕生。

畫家以平穩、對稱的形式架構畫面：前景為跪著並向新生兒禮敬的聖約瑟和聖母瑪利亞；後方洞穴各有一隻牛和一隻驢，用以影射異教徒認識主，而以色列人竟不識其主，而將耶穌判罪釘於十字架上。洞穴的上方為被光暈所圍繞的天父，正為躺臥在洞穴前方的新生兒賜福；天父的正下方可見代表聖靈的鴿子，天父、聖靈與聖子位於一直線上，清楚傳達出基督教義中「三位一體」的概念。(蔡敏玲)

This is a large-sized altar painting. Most art historians believe that it may have been a collaborative work of Benvenuto di Giovanni(1436- ca.1518) of Siena, Italy, and his son Girolamo di Benvenuto (before 1470-1524 ). The works by the father and the son were created during the transitional period from the traditional Sienese style to a new style developed in the 16th century, thus were influenced by both art forms. The characteristics of both old and new styles are prominent in this piece. For example, although the visual composition remains conventional and the stiffly drawn figures lack substantiation, the treatment with color shading, the depiction of the facial expressions and the perspective in dimensional depth all reveal a new artistic language.

The artwork includes two parts: the altar painting depicting Nativity in the upper part and the painting in an imitation of the altar in the lower part. The three circles on the altar section potray John the Baptist, Jesus rising above the tomb, and a Franciscan priest. John the Baptist points to Jesus while his other hand holds a scroll with the words “ECCE AGNUS【DEI】,” which indicates Jesus as the Lord’s lamb, born for the salvation of the mankind.

In the foreground kneel St. Joseph and the Virgin Mary, admiring the newborn Jesus. The cattle and donkeys in the stable behind represent the Jews and the gentiles, implying ironically that the gentiles were able to recognize the Lord as their savior while the Israelites refused to admit Him and crucified Jesus onto the cross. The Holy Father wrapped in the glorious light above the cave blesses the newborn baby, and beneath Him is the dove that represents the Holy Spirit. The Holy Father, the Holy Spirit and the Holy Son stand in a row, conveying the concept of Christian Trinity. (Min Ling TSAI)