Saint Christopher holding the Christ Child, French school, circa 1680-1750, oil on oak panel.
-------------------
A beautifully executed work of typical French manner in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Depicted is Saint Christopher holding the Christ child while onlookers present artifacts/gifts.
This scene started to be depicted artistically as early as the 6th century, but the most famous treatments of it are found in the Westminster Psalter (c.1250), a painting after Jan van Eyck's lost original, Hans Memling, Hieronymus Bosch, Giovanni Bellini, etc. This depiction of it from the French school (c.17th-18th C) is very interesting for having many other details present usually not found, alongside the extensive inscription to the stone wall at the bottom.
His most famous legend tells that he carried a child, who was unknown to him, across a river before the child revealed himself as Christ. Therefore, he is the patron saint of travellers, and small images of him are often worn around the neck, on a bracelet, carried in a pocket, or placed in vehicles by Christians.
St. Christopher is a widely popular saint, especially revered by athletes, mariners, ferrymen, and travelers. He is revered as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. He holds patronage of things related to travel and travellers—against lightning and pestilence—and patronage for archers; bachelors; boatmen; soldiers; bookbinders; epilepsy; floods; fruit dealers; fullers; gardeners; a holy death; mariners; market carriers; motorists and drivers; sailors; storms; surfers; toothache; mountaineering; and transportation workers.
-------------------
Size incl. frame: 370 x 470 mm (approx.)
