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Eguiguren Arte de Hispanoamérica

Juan van der Hamen

Child Resting under Flowers

67.4 × 88.3 cm / 26.5'' × 34.8''

description

A very small child, perhaps a newborn, lies on a tomb covered with a crimson cloth; cushions, also in a deep red, gently support the back and head of the deceased. The shroud, as was traditional, is the habit of a religious order. In this case, it is white, typical of the Dominicans. The child’s hands have been placed together over the abdomen, holding a small bouquet of flowers. A crown of flowers, primarily made of roses in various colors, rests on the child’s head, much like the depictions of martyred saints. The symbolism derives from the crown of Christ, hence the use of roses. Above the habit, the artist has scattered flowers with their stems in a seemingly arbitrary manner. The chiaroscuro, in its naturalistic style, models and adds volume to the figure, which the artist has ultimately set against a neutral background to emphasize the solitude of the small deceased. This work, by Juan van der Hamen y León, is a stunning example of his mastery in combining religious symbolism with still-life elements.