The Infant Christ Asleep

This painting relates to a type of iconography popularised by such paintings as Murillo's Christ Child Resting on the Cross (Graves Art Gallery, Sheffield). Although in this image the Infant Christ appears to be comfortably installed in a bed lying on two cushions, the painting is a theatrical rendition of the theme of Christ's forthcoming death. A work entitled The Sleeping Christ Child by Alonso Cano (1601-67) at Kingston Lacy, Dorset, also relates closely to this painting.