[2] According to surviving documentation, delivery was promised by Easter of 1599, but papers show it was shipped from Toledo to Madrid in 1600 and final payment was made for the "high altar" in September of that year.

[2] Today we know nothing about El Greco's design of the high altar, the height of original display of the paintings nor who commissioned them, since the altarpiece was deconstructed during the French occupation of Spain under Joseph Bonaparte.

The original commission consisted of six paintings and six sculptures which visually embodied the idea of the Incarnation of the Son of God, reflecting the title of the chapel as well as being the subject of many theological debates in contemporary Spain.

El Greco's nativity scenes were very popular throughout his career, and six were listed in the 1621 inventory of his son Jorge Manuel's possessions.

El Greco had promised delivery by Easter 1599, but only delivered in July 1600, whereupon it was appraised by Dona Maria de Aragón's executors in August 1600.