Christ Child in the Sacred Heart 1450 - 1470

This is an anonymous piece titled "Christ Child in the Sacred Heart". The piece employs the Sacred Heart, a Roman Catholic devotion, and the painting depicts Christ as a child, sitting within the heart. The image invokes both religious and social concepts related to love, sacrifice, and purity. The identity of the artist is unknown, but it’s clear that they were working within a tradition of religious iconography that often served as a means of communicating complex theological concepts to a broad audience. Note how the child is depicted with wounds, yet holds what appears to be a palm, thus combining notions of suffering and triumph. This reminds us of the emotional and spiritual dimensions of faith and identity. It asks us to consider how we relate to symbols of devotion, and how these symbols shape our understanding of love, compassion, and sacrifice.