Bust of Christ Blessing 1610 - 1662

Wilhelm Traut's "Bust of Christ Blessing," a 17th-century etching, depicts a close-up view of Christ's head and shoulder, emphasizing his gaze and gesture of blessing. The inscription "ADORATE DOMINVM OMNES SANCTI EIVS" (Worship the Lord, all you saints) reinforces the image's devotional purpose. The detailed rendering of Christ's features, including the flowing hair and beard, aligns with the Baroque style's emphasis on realism and emotional expression. This artwork, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the practice of creating devotional images for private worship and underscores the enduring power of religious imagery in art.