Holy Child giving grapes to St Francis
In the present painting the Holy Child has a peaceful and joyous face, as he is seated on the blessed Virgin Mary’s lap, on her throne. He is holding a bunch of grapes, which were handed over by her Holy Mother, who took them from the plentiful branch above them. The grapes refer to the Eucharist and to his own role as Redeemer, but also humanity's faith that bread and wine turn into Christ’s body and blood during Catholic mass. The author depicts a vineyard in the background surrounded by hills. Saint Francis of Assisi kneels on the right side of the painting and looks ups in a gaze of adoration to the Holy Child. To the left, an angel kneels too, contemplating the scene.
Blessing grapes is a time-honored Catholic tradition, dating back to the early days of the Church. The blessing of fruits, including grapes, traces its origins to the Apostolic era. St. Hippolytus (c. 170– c. 235) mentions the blessing of grapes. Furthermore, the sixth Ecumenical Council in Constantinople (680-681) prescribed the blessing of new wheat and grapes on the feast of the Transfiguration. This ritual echoes the Old Testament directive to present the first-fruits to God (Ex. 23:19), reminding us that God always provides for our needs.
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