Who painted Christ Receiving the Children?

Christ Receiving the Children was painted by Sébastien Bourdon in 1655.

Where can I see Christ Receiving the Children?

Christ Receiving the Children is held by Art Institute of Chicago.

What movement is Christ Receiving the Children?

Christ Receiving the Children is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Christ Receiving the Children?

Museum-quality prints of Christ Receiving the Children are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Christ Receiving the Children

Sébastien Bourdon , 1655

Christ Receiving the Children is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Sébastien Bourdon. It dates from 1655 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Sébastien Bourdon’s oil painting portrays a New Testament scene in which Jesus, reclining at the centre, instructs his followers not to hinder children from approaching him. The composition gathers the holy figure, his disciples, and a group of youngsters within a unified space that blends architectural cues from antiquity with a timeless, devotional atmosphere.

Subject & Meaning

The work visualises the Gospel of Mark episode where Christ welcomes children, emphasizing the theological principle that the kingdom of God belongs to the innocent and humble. By placing the children close to Jesus and the disciples at a slight remove, Bourdon underscores the contrast between the purity of youth and the hesitancy of the adult believers.

Technique & Style

Bourdon adopts a classical framework inspired by Nicolas Poussin, arranging the figures in parallel, stage‑like registers that create a calm, geometric balance. The drapery follows ancient Roman fashion, while the chiaroscuro modelling gives the scene depth and a sculptural quality, reinforcing the painter’s commitment to rigorous, academic classicism.

History & Provenance

Having spent formative years in Rome, Bourdon absorbed Poussin’s compositional principles, which he later applied in this French Baroque work. The painting entered the museum’s collection through a 19th‑century acquisition, reflecting the period’s interest in French artists who merged classical ideals with biblical narratives.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Sébastien Bourdon

Sébastien Bourdon (French pronunciation: ; 2 February 1616 – 8 May 1671) was a French painter and engraver. His chef d'œuvre is The Crucifixion of St. Peter made for the cathedral of Notre Dame.