The sleeping Infant Jesus

The image of Jesus sleeping has been painted by European artists many times. The theme was portrayed in pictures by Bartolomeo Schedoni (1578–1615), Guido Reni (1575–1642), Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682), and many others. One important component of the impression given by these works is the contrast between the image of charming innocence and the foreboding of future suffering. Sometimes, in order to hint at His sacrifice, the Baby is portrayed lying down on a cross, but this was not always done. The sight of a baby sleeping peacefully was enough. We do not know why Józef Peszka (1767–1831) painted this picture, radiating intimacy and love, but we can guess that the religious aspect was not of prime importance to him. Only the halo indicates that the baby sleeping deeply on a soft feather pillow resembling a cloud is Christ. The halo with a cross inside it reminds us of the sacrifice, and applies only to Christ.

Peszka was born in Kraków, and was one of the most famous students of Franciszek Smuglewicz. He painted mostly landscapes, portraits and historical compositions. Sometimes his portraits portrayed their sitters as characters from the Bible or from Ancient mythology.

Text author Dalia Vasiliūnienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album HEAVEN AND BEYOND (2016). Compiler Dalia Vasiliūnienė. Text authors Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė
Expositions: “Heaven and Beyond. Works of religious art from the collection of Rolandas Valiūnas and the law firm Valiunas Ellex“, 31 May–24 September 2016, Church Heritage Museum, Vilnius (curators Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė)

The image of Jesus sleeping has been painted by European artists many times. The theme was portrayed in pictures by Bartolomeo Schedoni (1578–1615), Guido Reni (1575–1642), Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (1617–1682), and many others. One important component of the impression given by these works is the contrast between the image of charming innocence and the foreboding of future suffering. Sometimes, in order to hint at His sacrifice, the Baby is portrayed lying down on a cross, but this was not always done. The sight of a baby sleeping peacefully was enough. We do not know why Józef Peszka (1767–1831) painted this picture, radiating intimacy and love, but we can guess that the religious aspect was not of prime importance to him. Only the halo indicates that the baby sleeping deeply on a soft feather pillow resembling a cloud is Christ. The halo with a cross inside it reminds us of the sacrifice, and applies only to Christ.

Peszka was born in Kraków, and was one of the most famous students of Franciszek Smuglewicz. He painted mostly landscapes, portraits and historical compositions. Sometimes his portraits portrayed their sitters as characters from the Bible or from Ancient mythology.

Text author Dalia Vasiliūnienė

Source: Law firm Valiunas Ellex art album HEAVEN AND BEYOND (2016). Compiler Dalia Vasiliūnienė. Text authors Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė
Expositions: “Heaven and Beyond. Works of religious art from the collection of Rolandas Valiūnas and the law firm Valiunas Ellex“, 31 May–24 September 2016, Church Heritage Museum, Vilnius (curators Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Skaidrė Urbonienė)