The Nativity (detail)

The archivolt consists of six small scenes carved out of white stone, which portray sin and disobedience to God in ancient times, before the Law of Moses was established. They portray Adam and Eve banished from Paradise and their labour afterwards, the sacrifice of Cain and Abel, the murder of Abel, the disobedience of Cain and his subsequent expulsion to the land of Nod. The archivolt is supported on both sides by the first human couple, inspired by the Adam and Eve in the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan van Eyck. Above, in the spandrels, the age of discord and revenge is depicted in the form of two warriors charging each other.

The architectural framework is lit by a low light source from the left, so that the contrasting shadows make the relief stand out. In the background the city of Jerusalem is nestled.