Silver Statuette of the Christ Child, from the Wittenberg Reliquaries 1472 - 1553

This woodcut, "Silver Statuette of the Christ Child," is a depiction of a young, naked Christ child standing on a mythical bird-like creature with a crown of thorns. The piece is a design for a silver statuette, one of a series created by Lucas Cranach the Elder for the Wittenberg Reliquaries between 1472 and 1553. The woodcut features detailed rendering of the figure and its surroundings, showcasing the artistic style of the German Renaissance. The delicate lines and intricate details create a powerful and evocative image of Christ’s innocence and sacrifice. The piece is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.