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Description: | Rubens' prime version of this composition, known as The Spinola Rubens dates of 1615 and this work appears to be a contemporary copy by a follower. Images of St John the Baptist and Christ as infants became popular in the seventeenth century. St John on the left in a fur loin cloth which alludes to his future characterisation as a figure 'in the wilderness', puts his arms around the neck of a lamb which he offers to Christ. Christ with fair hair half stands to pet the lamb. Red and white drapery around Christ symbolise the Passion. Flesh tones are painted in delicate pinks and blues with reflected lights in the manner of Rubens. For instance, on St John's right arm, the shadow goes from dark at the outer edge to a warm light tone to a dark cool tone to pale blue and then pink. There is a large overhanging tree behind Christ on the right of the composition. On the left, the background opens out into a landscape with trees and deer in the distance. A flock of birds in the sky. In the left foreground some yellow primroses, dandelions and lily pads on the water of a pond in the foreground. | Subjects: | religion (Infant Christ Infant St John the Baptist); landscape | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish painter and draftsman, 1577-1640) Æ Attributed to school of | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8673... | Go to resource |
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