New Year’s Wish with the Christ Child 1480s - 1490s

This small, hand-colored print titled 'New Year’s Wish with the Christ Child' was created by an anonymous artist, likely in the late 15th or early 16th century. It provides a fascinating window into the intersection of religious belief, social customs, and the anxieties of the time. This image presents the Christ Child offering blessings for the New Year. He is holding an orb which symbolizes his dominion over the world. The banner behind him includes a wish for a prosperous and successful year. The choice to depict Jesus as a child speaks to the cultural emphasis on innocence and purity. Yet, his somewhat androgynous presentation, raises intriguing questions about how gender and power were conceived in this period. The print’s small size suggests it was likely a personal item, perhaps carried as a token of good luck, revealing the intimate relationship individuals had with religious imagery. The hopes and fears embodied in this New Year’s wish reflect the ever-present human desire for security and well-being, adding a deeply personal dimension to the piece.