Reference number
P00964
Author
Murillo, Bartolomé Esteban
Title
The Holy Children with a Shell
Chronology
Ca. 1670
Technique
Óleo
Support
Lienzo
Measures
104 cm x 124 cm
School
Española
Theme
Religión
On display
Yes
Procedence
Colección Real (colección Isabel Farnesio, Palacio de La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia, 1746, nº 968; La Granja, cuarto del señor infante son Luis-dormitorio, 1766, nº 968; Palacio de Aranjuez, Madrid, pieza de dormir los Reyes, 1794, nº 968).

The Christ child holds a shell for his cousin John to drink. The latter is identified by the cross and by a lamb. In the sky, the heavens open to reveal cherubs who witness the scene, making it holy. The phrase “Ecce Agnus Dei” on the cross's banner alludes to Christ's condition as the Lamb of God.

Murillo plays with the charm of subjects related to children, which were quite customary in his work, but at the same time, he foreshadows the baptism of Christ by John on the banks of the Jordan River.

The composition comes from a print by Guido Reni that was, in turn, inspired by Annibale Carracci.

It entered the Royal Collection through Queen Isabel Farnesio, a great collector of Murillo's work.

Room 17

Location on the map

Ministerio de Cultura. Gobierno de España; abre en ventana nueva
España es cultura Spain is culture
Copyright © 2012 Museo Nacional del Prado.
Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 23
Madrid 28014
Tel. +34 91 330 2800.
All rights reserved