This group includes another Washington painting, the Holy Family, and an Adoration of the Magi predella panel in the National Gallery, London.

Giorgione portrayed the main scene on the right, in front of a dark grotto, while on the left is bright landscape crowned by trees.

[1] This work was probably completed by Giorgione while he was part of the workshop of Vincenzo Catena, a strict follower of Giovanni Bellini's style.

[6] It was next owned by Claudius Tarral of Paris and sold at his sale at Christie's, London on 11 June 1847 (lot 55) as Adoration of the Shepherds by Giorgione.

[12] Duveen's expert, art historian Bernard Berenson fervently believed the painting to be early Titian, and a battle of wills ensued.

The Allendale Nativity ultimately caused the rupture between Lord Duveen and Berenson, ending one of the most influential relationships in modern art history.

In Berenson's 1957 list of the "Venetian School" the painting is attributed in part to Giorgione with "Virgin and Landscape probably finished by Titian".