Who painted Christ Child as Redeemer?

Christ Child as Redeemer was painted by Anthony van Dyck in 1620.

Where can I see Christ Child as Redeemer?

Christ Child as Redeemer is held by Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

Artwork

Christ Child as Redeemer

Christ Child as Redeemer is an oil painting by Anthony van Dyck. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1620, this oil painting by Flemish Baroque painter Anthony van Dyck presents a youthful figure interpreted as the Christ Child. The work belongs to the religious genre and is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister. Its composition combines symbolic objects with dramatic lighting to convey theological themes.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure stands upon a fish, a traditional emblem of early Christianity, and is depicted nude save for a red cloth draped over the left shoulder. In his right hand he grasps a cross, while a crown rests in his left, alluding to Christ’s future sacrifice and triumph. The child's downward gaze and solemn expression reinforce the contemplative nature of the scene.

Technique & Style

Van Dyck employs strong chiaroscuro, contrasting a dark background with a luminous orb that illuminates the figure. This use of light creates a three‑dimensional presence and heightens the emotional tone. The handling of oil paint reveals the artist’s mastery of texture, from the smooth flesh to the reflective surface of the orb.

History & Provenance

Born the seventh son of a prosperous Antwerp silk merchant, van Dyck trained early, entered the Guild of Saint Luke in 1617, and worked in the workshop of Peter Paul Rubens before establishing his own reputation. The painting entered the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister’s collection, where it remains part of the museum’s Baroque holdings.

Context

The early 17th‑century Baroque period emphasized dramatic lighting and emotional intensity, qualities evident in this work. Van Dyck’s religious commissions often blended personal devotion with the grandiose visual language inherited from Rubens, reflecting the Counter‑Reformation’s demand for compelling devotional imagery.

Artist & collection

Artist

Anthony van Dyck

Sir Anthony van Dyck (; Dutch: Antoon van Dijck ; 22 March 1599 – 9 December 1641) was a Flemish Baroque artist, who became the leading court painter in England after success in the Spanish Netherlands and Italy.

Museum

Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden

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