Christ in prayer 1448 - 1524

This anonymous drawing depicts Christ in prayer. Kneeling with hands clasped, his gaze lifted towards the heavens, we see the traditional halo hovering above his head, marking his divinity. Images of Christ like this, made by unknown artists, served a vital purpose in society. Before mass literacy, art was a key tool for teaching the stories of the Bible to a wide audience. This image might have been created to inspire piety, or perhaps it was a preparatory sketch for a larger altarpiece or illuminated manuscript. The artist's identity is unknown. We can only speculate on the artist’s social position and training. What was their relationship with the church? Were they a monk, a professional artist working on commission, or an amateur creating devotional art for their own use? Art historical research can help us understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped this image, shedding light on its original function and meaning.