Saint Anthony with Child

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Saint Anthony of Padua with the Christ Child. Unknown artist, chromolithograph holy card, c. 1880–1930

This devotional image of Saint Anthony of Padua appears to be a late-19th- to early-20th-century holy card reproduction, most likely produced through chromolithography or similar printed processes used for mass devotional distribution. The delicate gold halo, the softly modeled flesh tones, and the richly burnished decorative border are all characteristic of holy-card design during this period in Western Europe and Spanish-speaking regions. The smooth, enamel-like surface and absence of visible brushwork indicate a print rather than a hand-painted original, and the style aligns with devotional artwork circulated in prayer books, novenas, and personal altars.

The scene portrays Saint Anthony tenderly holding the Christ Child, one of the most enduring iconographic representations of the saint. This imagery became widespread at the end of the 15th century, inspired by devotional stories in which Saint Anthony was graced with a mystical vision of the Child Jesus. From that time forward, artists increasingly represented him with the Infant in his arms, a tradition that became firmly rooted in sculpture and painting. In Seville, this iconography gained special prominence through the works of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, whose soft, luminous depictions popularized the theme across Spain and beyond.

In the present image, the figures stand against a deep black background, an uncommon but striking choice that intensifies their presence and accentuates the tenderness of their gaze. The extremely fine gold halo that encircles Saint Anthony’s head gives the scene a subtle but luminous sanctity, while the soft, almost porcelain-like rendering of their skin emphasizes intimacy and spiritual gentleness. The simplicity of the composition draws the viewer into quiet contemplation, allowing the loving exchange between saint and child to become the heart of the devotional experience.

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This image is a public domain image, which means either that copyright has expired in the image or the copyright holder has waived their copyright. Franciscan Gallery charges for the access to high resolution copy of the image. Manually restoration was necessary in order to improve quality, without covering the original image.