Dish with Jesus Suffering the Little Children to Come unto Him c. 1645 - 1660

This is a tin-glazed earthenware dish, probably crafted by Willem Jansz. Verstraeten. The circular form immediately suggests a contained narrative, a world unto itself, rendered in a striking blue and white palette. The scene depicts Jesus welcoming children, framed by a landscape that arcs around the plate. The artist uses the circular format not merely as a boundary, but as a compositional tool. The figures are arranged to echo the curve, subtly drawing our eyes inward, focusing on the central interaction between Jesus and the children. The monochromatic blue palette invites a semiotic reading. Blue, often associated with the divine and ethereal, reinforces the religious content. The sharp contrast between the blue figures and white background creates a stark, symbolic space. The circular boundary emphasizes the separation of this sacred event from the mundane world, inviting contemplation on themes of faith, innocence, and divine embrace. Ultimately, it encourages us to consider how the artwork functions as a cultural artifact that transcends its decorative purpose.