The artwork titled “The Child Jesus in the Manger” is a miniature by the Italian painter Andrea Mantegna, created in approximately 1450. Rendered on parchment with tempera, this piece is emblematic of the Early Renaissance movement. The genre of the artwork is a miniature, indicating its small size and intricate detailing.
In the artwork, the infant Jesus is depicted lying in a manger, swaddled in a blue cloth. The surrounding text is indicative of the illuminated manuscript style, with precise, handwritten Latin script encircling the central image, imbuing it with a scholarly and religious aura. The details of the manger and the serene depiction of the child are finely executed, reflecting the meticulous nature of Mantegna’s work and the high regard for religious iconography during the Renaissance. The parchment bears signs of aging, with faint discoloration and minor stains, which add to its historical authenticity and value.
