The Infant Christ Asleep on the Cross
Date Made/Found: about 1670
, Spanish, 1618 - 1682
Material and Medium: oil on canvas
Dimensions: Frame: 1988 x 1435 x 135mm
Department: Visual Art
This painting shows the infant Christ asleep on the cross, lying beside a skull. Both these symbols directly refer to his forthcoming sacrifice and they emphasise the notion that Christ was born so that he could later die for the world. The two angels hovering above the child highlight his status.
This was a popular subject in Spanish art during the 17th century and this work was probably produced for private devotion.
Display Location:
Graves Gallery
