An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
Sleeping Christ Childc. 1675
Filippo Parodi
Christ—no longer an infant, but a young child—sprawls on a bed of straw, his head thrown back in slumber and his right arm dangling. The simple radiance framing his head indicates his divinity. Representations of the sleeping Christ child were enduringly popular, not only because of the subject’s inherent charm, but sleep, as a metaphor for death, encouraged pious Christians to meditate on Christ’s humanity and his eventual suffering and death. Filippo Parodi’s <em>Sleeping Christ Child</em> beguiles with lifelike detail. Parodi used varying degrees of polish to differentiate surface textures: Christ’s body is burnished to a soft gleam, while his hair and the straw are more roughly carved, absorbing rather than reflecting the light. Parodi exploited the sensuous and tactile possibilities of the marble to enhance the emotional impact of his piece, a tactic learned from the master of Italian Baroque sculpture, Gianlorenzo Bernini.
Tender images of the Christ child sleeping encouraged devout Christians to meditate on Christ’s humanity.
marble
63 x 102 x 42 cm (24 13/16 x 40 3/16 x 16 9/16 in.)
Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund
In a humble stable, a serene scene unfolds. There lies Christ—not as the tiny infant one might envision, but as a young child, cradled on a bed of soft straw. His head is thrown back in a peaceful slumber, the innocence of childhood enveloping him. The sight is arresting; his right arm dangles lazily, embodying both vulnerability and divine potential. Above him, a subtle radiance forms a halo, casting an ethereal glow that highlights his divinity amidst the simplicity of his surroundings.
This portrayal of the sleeping Christ child, captured by the masterful hands of Filippo Parodi, has captivated hearts over the centuries. The reason is profound. The charm of the child combined with the symbolism of sleep speaks to pious Christians, prompting contemplation of Christ’s humanity. Within this peaceful repose lies a gentle reminder of the suffering and sacrifice that awaits—a tender yet heavy reflection on the journey that is to come.
Parodi’s sculpture, aptly named *Sleeping Christ Child*, dazzles with remarkable lifelike detail. His craftsmanship is evident; he skillfully employed different polishing techniques to convey a rich tapestry of textures across the marble. The child’s body gleams softly—smooth and inviting—while the surrounding straw retains a rougher finish, its texture absorbing light rather than reflecting it. This contrast draws the viewer closer, inviting intimate contemplation.
Guided by the brilliance of Gianlorenzo Bernini, a luminary of Italian Baroque sculpture, Parodi harnessed the sensuous qualities inherent in marble. Every curve and shadow was meticulously crafted to evoke emotion, each stroke of the chisel a testament to devotion and artistry. In this tranquil moment captured in stone, we are left with not just a visual reminder of Christ's presence, but a profound invitation to reflect on the duality of his existence—the divine and the mortal—woven together in a timeless narrative of love and sacrifice.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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