Excellent observation! By the mid-sixteenth century,when this was painted, European painters both south of the Alps and north of the Alps (including this unknown painter) were falling under the spell of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. Heroic male nudes in particular established a unique ideal for male beauty during the Renaissance for both mythological and devout figures, and including Christ. For this reason,the Christ child appears more like a miniature man than an actual baby in this picture. Have a question on your next visit at the Museum? Download our ASKapp and expect away.
Flemish (Antwerp School). Madonna and Child, mid-16th century. Oil on panel. Brooklyn Museum
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