Artwork
Christ Blessing the Children ('Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not...')
Christ Blessing the Children ('Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not...') is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Caspar Jacob van Opstal the Younger. It dates from 1698 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Christ Blessing the Children is a 1698 oil painting by Caspar Jacob van Opstal the Younger, a Flemish artist active in Antwerp and Italy.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates a biblical scene where Christ is surrounded by children, referencing a passage that encourages their acceptance. The composition centers on Christ, with figures gathered around him, some kneeling or reaching out.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by visible brushstrokes and texture, typical of oil painting. Its style is consistent with the Flemish Baroque tradition, influenced by the dynamic compositions of Rubens.
History & Provenance
Van Opstal, born in Antwerp in 1654 and buried there in 1717, produced works on mythological, biblical, and portrait subjects. Christ Blessing the Children is now held in the State Hermitage Museum.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Caspar Jacob van Opstal the Younger
Gaspar Jacob van Opstal the Younger or Jasper Jacob van Opstal the Younger (christened on 2 July 1654 in Antwerp – buried on 12 January 1717 in Antwerp), was a Flemish painter active in Antwerp and Italy in the second…
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