Madonna and Child
1509
In this charming 1509 piece, Lucas Cranach the Elder gives the traditional Madonna and Child a surprisingly snack-time vibe. Mary offers a heavy bunch of grapes to the toddler Jesus, who is already popping one into his mouth while clutching an apple. These aren't just random fruits, though—the grapes and the glass on the ledge hint at the Eucharist, while the apples represent the original sin that this little guy is destined to redeem. The visible cracks across the surface just add to the antique charm of this German Renaissance masterpiece.
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