Art

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Unidentified Artist
Niño Jesús (The Christ Child)
eighteenth century
carved and painted wood and metal
13 3/8 x 5 1/2 x 4 3/8 in.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Teodoro Vidal Collection



During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, a cult of the Christ Child flourished throughout the Catholic countries of Europe and was passed along to the Americas. In this Puerto Rican image, the infant Jesus is shown as a king. In his left hand he holds the orb of the world, symbol of the ruler, which is topped by a small cross that signifies his future sacrifice. His right hand is raised in a gesture of benediction.



Durante los siglos XVII y XVIII floreció en los países católicos de Europa el culto al Niño Jesús, que se propagó también a las Américas. En esta imagen puertorriqueña, el niño Jesús aparece como rey. En la mano izquierda sostiene el orbe, símbolo de la realeza, coronado por una pequeña cruz que anuncia su futuro sacrificio. Con la mano derecha imparte la bendición.

 

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Revised: January 17, 2002
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