The infant Jesus with a Lamb

Bernardino Luini rendered this tender image of the Christ Child with a lamb, symbol of his future sacrifice. The soft modeling and gentle expression show strong influence from Leonardo da Vinci, with whom Luini may have trained. The intimate scale invites devotional contemplation.

Luini was the leading Milanese painter of his generation. His sfumato technique and sweet expressions made his religious works widely beloved. Displayed at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan.