Artwork preview

Christ Child in the Sacred Heart

German 15th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of a figure inside a heart, atop a cross-like structure. The heart is deep red, and within it is a small figure painted in light flesh tones, adorned with a blue head covering, holding a feather or palm leaf in one hand while grasping a small red object in the other. Surrounding the heart are blue and red feather-like elements, and beneath is a field of green. Above the heart, a green garland and additional colorful abstract shapes occupy the sky, framed by a blue skyline. The image has a naive, folkloric aesthetic.

Artwork Details

Date
1450/1470
Medium
woodcut in warm black, hand-colored in red lake, blue, green, yellow, and gold
Dimensions
2607 × 3465 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette