Circle of Lucas Cranach II (Wittenberg 1515-1586 Weimar)

The subject 'Christ suffering the Children to come unto Him' is mentioned three times in the records of Elector John Frederick the Magnanimous (1503-1554) who was one of the main patrons of Cranach II and his studio. Various compositions exist depicting the figures, three-quarter-length, with Christ in the middle surrounded by the children and their mothers. The present composition appears to be another variation on this popular subject.