Christ Child with Instruments of the Passion 1545 - 1555

This anonymous German woodcut, "Christ Child with Instruments of the Passion," depicts the Christ Child kneeling in prayer before a cross surrounded by the tools of his suffering. The imagery, created sometime between 1545-1555, is a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice. The inclusion of a chalice and a rooster foreshadow the events of the Last Supper and the betrayal of Peter, adding a devotional aspect to the work. The work is small, but it speaks volumes about the artist's faith and the enduring power of Christian iconography.