Images+of+the+Holy+Child+Jesus

Art: Images of the Holy Child

Background:

The Holy Child was very important to Cornelia Connelly. One of Cornelia's biographers, Elizabeth Strub, explains that for Cornelia the understanding that God became human was essential to her spirituality. In addition, Strub says, "Because she was dedicated to Christ in his human reality, Cornelia was a down-to-earth realist . . . Sanctity was to be found within the everyday duties of one's state in life; ordinary events mediated God's will, and the natural order glorified him." The unfortunate events of Cornelia's life (losing her husband and her children) evidently linked that spirituality with suffering. "Small wonder that Cornelia depicted the Child who was the manifestation of God's merciful love, and its source, as a suffering child." (Strub, Informatio, 167) The symbol of the society (emblazoned on seals, medals, and other insignia) is of Jesus as a child, arms outstretched, often with a cross behind him.

Assignment:

Choose from the gallery of images of the Holy Child and discuss with your students what impression each one is trying to give.

Possible questions for discussion: 1. What does the image make you feel? Sad? Happy? Angry? Confused? 2. Look at the lines. Are they smooth and soft? Or are they dark, hard lines? 3. Look at the colors. How do the colors affect the mood of the art? 4. What symbols are included? 5. Notice the composition and the perspective of the image. Is it cluttered? Symmetrical? From what angle is it viewed? 6. Notice the lighting and the shading. 7. What message is the artist trying to communicate?

When the students have completed their analysis of the various images, have them brainstorm their own ideas about the "Holy Child". What words come to mind when they think about the child Jesus?

Using their lists, have the students create their own images of the Holy Child.