Christ blessing the children

Numerous heads and bodies fill the rectangular composition of the painting. Christ stands to the left of the central axis surrounded by a crowd of mothers with their children. He has placed his right hand on the chest of a child held forward by his mother. On his other arm he carries an infant, who cuddles up to his cheek. In the foreground a mother shown with her back to the viewer closes the human circle around Christ. Bending backward she attempts pull her little daughter closer to Christ with her right hand. The crowded space continues on the left side of the image where a group of apostles has gathered. St Peter has turned his bald head to the left and appears to be in conversation with the apostle Paul. The faces and heads of the rest of the disciples are visible behind them.

[Daniel Görres, cda 2018]