Jesus and Saint John as infants embracing

Welcome, everyone! Before you is Jesus and Saint John as infants embracing, a truly captivating painting by Joos van Cleve, created in 1540. This intimate work, measuring 53 centimeters wide and 42 centimeters high, comes to us from a private collection. nn Notice the tender scene: two nude infants, Jesus and Saint John, locked in an embrace, their lips meeting in a sweet kiss. The artist masterfully uses light and shadow to model their soft, rounded forms, giving them a remarkable sense of three-dimensionality. Their skin is rendered with a warm, fleshy tone, enhancing their delicate features. nn The background is deliberately dark and subdued, a rich, deep tone that creates a sense of privacy and intimacy. A dark green curtain drapes behind the infants, further emphasizing this feeling of enclosure. A soft, light-colored pillow rests nearby, offering a subtle contrast to the darker hues and anchoring the figures within the composition. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation and profound affection. It's a beautiful example of the artist's skill in capturing such a tender moment with such sensitivity and detail. Take a moment to appreciate the artist's skill in conveying emotion through such a simple yet powerful image.