Saint Christophe et l'Enfant Jésus

Tommaso del Mazza's depiction of Saint Christopher carrying the Christ Child, now in the Musee du Petit Palais, reflects the enormous popularity of this saint in late medieval devotion. According to legend, Christopher was a giant who carried the Christ Child across a river, and his image was believed to protect against sudden death. This panel was likely displayed prominently in a church where it could be seen by the faithful entering, fulfilling its apotropaic function.

Egg tempera on panel with gold ground, rendered in the refined Florentine manner of the Orcagnesque tradition. The narrative scene is composed with clarity, showing the monumental figure of the saint wading through water with the Christ Child on his shoulder, executed with fine linear detail and warm coloring.