Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Christ Blessing the Children)
Religious Icon, likely a mounted lithographic print or high-gloss transfer • Unidentified contemporary iconographer; produced for the devotional market (common in Orthodox or Byzantine Catholic traditions)
Style & Movement
Neo-Byzantine / Contemporary Religious Folk Art
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print on wood/MDF substrate with a high-gloss lacquer or epoxy finish. The original design follows Byzantine egg tempera techniques style but is reproduced digitally or via lithography.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (Contemporary)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 or 11 x 14 inches; Vertical (Portrait) format mounted on a chamfered wooden panel.
Subject Description
A rendering of the biblical scene from Matthew 19:14. Christ is seated centrally in blue and red robes, gesturing a blessing toward children and their mothers. The figures represent various ages of childhood, from infants to adolescents, in a structured, hierarchical composition typical of Eastern Christian iconography. Architecture in the background suggests a holy or domestic space.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The high-gloss surface shows prominent light reflections, indicating a smooth, non-distressed finish common in modern mass-produced icons.
Estimated Market Value
$25 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $40 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased through a church gift shop, monastery bookstore, or religious supply catalyst. No specific historical provenance is indicated as this is a contemporary devotional object.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the continuing tradition of Byzantine iconography in the modern era. While not an 'original' hand-painted icon by a master, it serves as a 'windows to heaven' for liturgical or personal devotional use within a contemporary religious context.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive red border characteristic of many Greek and Russian icons; features modern architectural elements combined with traditional stylized drapery folds.
Condition Issues
Surface glare and fingerprints on the glossy coating. Slight potential for delamination at the edges of the print from the wooden board over time.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent UV fading of the printed inks. Wipe only with a soft, dry micro-fiber cloth to avoid scratching the resinous surface coating.