I was checking out some images of Jesus when he was a baby. (Don’t freak out – I am a “Post-Thanksgiving Christmas” person, so this is not a Christmas post.) when I stumbled across a remarkable Tumblr feed. I’m not going to share the feed, because some of it is not appropriate for decent people – like you – but I did swipe a few images.
It seems that artists during the Renaissance took a lot of creative license in portraying the young Jesus. At least I hope these are all inaccurate. With no further ado, or commentary, here are some Renaissance paintings featuring baby Jesus. Enjoy!
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I’m still hung up on Mary’s hand in picture 7…. what the what?!?! Didn’t know fingers were ever that long, even if you are a superstar basketball player.
First reaction: Hideous…I agree, glad they’re not in our chapels or magazines. Don’t have a second reaction.
I grew up a devout Catholic but always struggled to relate to Jesus Christ. I wonder why…? ? Thank goodness for the LDS Bible videos. In all sincerity, they were the catalyst for me expunging the above display from my brain.
If I am remembering my art history lessons right, the belief for much of the dark ages and also into the renaissance was that Christ was born with a “perfect appearance” and for some reason that meant he already looked like a grown man even as a baby. I could be wrong, but I think they used Isaiah 53:2 to justify this thinking. It doesn’t make the pictures any less cringy, but perhaps the artists had a little more actual talent than these pictures make it appear.
Yes. The previous comment links to an article that supports what you said. Thanks!
You might find this article of interest. Why Jesus was depicted with an ugly old man face.
https://www.vox.com/2015/7/8/8908825/ugly-medieval-babies
Thank goodness none of these hang in our chapels. They could scare young children and me!