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After Bernardino Luini, 'Christ', probably after 1530

About the work

This is a copy of the central figure of Christ from Luini’s Christ Among the Doctors, also in National Gallery’s collection. Luini’s composition may be based on an original design by Leonardo.

At the age of 12, Jesus was taken to the Temple in Jerusalem by Mary and Joseph, who became accidentally separated from him. They found him three days later debating learnedly with the theologians there (Luke 2: 41). Jesus looks at us serenely as he counts the points of his argument off on his fingers. The picture is sometimes thought to be the adult Christ disputing with the Pharisees, as his beard suggests he is older than 12.

This copy does not seem to be contemporary with Luini’s original painting. The artist’s work was venerated and copied for a century or more after his death, and this popular composition was copied in multiple versions by many different artists.

Key facts

Full title
Christ
Artist
After Bernardino Luini
Artist dates
about 1480 - 1532
Date made
probably after 1530
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
73.7 × 57.8 cm
Acquisition credit
Bequeathed by the Misses Cohen as part of the John Samuel collection, 1906
Inventory number
NG2088
Location
Not on display
Collection
Main Collection

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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