This magnificent Nativity is based on the Old Masters—but the ingenious paper engineering is 100% Van der Meer Publishing. The Adoration of the Magi, ca 1455 by Rogier Van Der Weyden. Christ Adored by Angels, 1475, by Hugo van der Goes. The Adoration of the Kings, 1598 by Jan Brueghel the Elder. The Mediaeval Nativity A pop-up Nativity Scene Based on Paintings by the Old Masters Designed by Van der Meer Publishing, 2000 What a wonderful concept: recreate "the beauty and majesty of the Nativity" in a "beautiful 3-dimensional scene… carefully modeled on… the wonderful religious paintings of the Great Masters." The modern masters at Van der Meer Publishing—with offices in London and Amsterdam— have created a magnificent pop-up book. But, somehow, the words pop-up simply don't justice to this excquisite example of paper engineering and creche art. Effortlessly, this gold-framed large book (12" x 15") opens to reveal a beautiful nativity inspired by the Old Masters: the manger itself soars almsot 10.5" high, bringing to life Jan Brueghel's The Adoration of the Kings. And all about—even at the rear—familiar figures surround the Virgin and Child: magi, shepherds, sheep, donkey, and cows, are augmented by a rooster crowing on a beautifully articulated wall; two angels hover above the roof under a star; a villager draws water from a well (the arm supporting the wooden pale actually moves up and down!); lilies grow on a grassy knoll that actually stands above the book's surface creating a rolling landskape; a barn owl is perched on a beam, and—thankfully—on the other side of a dividing wall a mouse scampers; and a kneeling couple peeks at the wonder of it all through a rear window. Clearly, this beautiful Nativity was meant to be seen from all sides. The designers have even thoughtfully tucked in a lovely little (5" x 4.25") eleven-page booklet containing "Extracts from The Holy Bible." When you're not gazing at this marvelous addition to the venerable pop-up Nativities of the past, you'll be opening it and closing it—trying to figure out just how did the bright people at Van der Meer Publishing figured it all out: make this Nativity pop-up from the page, only to magically make it disappear again. Van der Meer Publishing; 12.25" x 15"; 24.5" wide x 15.25" deep, by 10.5" high when open.