Saint Christopher Bearing the Christ Child 1484 - 1539

Giovanni Antonio da Pordenone created this drawing of Saint Christopher bearing the Christ Child using pen and brown ink with white gouache on blue paper. During the Renaissance, the tale of Saint Christopher was incredibly popular; a strong man carries a child across a river, only to discover the child is Christ, and the weight of the world rests upon him. Pordenone’s emotionally charged drawing illustrates not just a biblical story, but the immense responsibility of faith and the surprising burdens the vulnerable can carry. What's striking is the overt display of Christopher’s physique. His bulging muscles and strained posture speak of physical strength, yet his gentle handling of the child suggests a tender soul. In the 16th century, such displays of masculinity were often intertwined with power, yet here, power is redefined through service and humility. It invites us to consider how strength and vulnerability can coexist, challenging conventional notions of masculine identity.