Christ Child of Atocha

Copied Frank Brito, Christ Child of Atocha, ca. 1960s, paint on wood, 8 5⁄8 x 6 1⁄2 x 3 5⁄8 in. (21.9 x 16.5 x 9.2 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.53

Artwork Details

Title
Christ Child of Atocha
Artist
Date
ca. 1960s
Location
Dimensions
8 5⁄8 x 6 1⁄2 x 3 5⁄8 in. (21.9 x 16.5 x 9.2 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
paint on wood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory — cane
  • Object — furniture — chair
  • Object — foodstuff — beverage
  • Object — foodstuff — bread
  • Object — other — basket
  • Dress — accessory — hat
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
Object Number
1997.124.53
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.53

Artwork Description

The Spanish city of Atocha was occupied by the Moors in the fifteenth century. Many Christians were imprisoned and only children were allowed to bring food and water to the captives. One day, a child dressed as a pilgrim carried a basket of bread and a canteen of water into the prison. When he had given food and water to every man the guards were astonished to find that the basket and canteen were still full. The people of Atocha believed that Christ had heard their prayers and had come back in the form of the child to save them. Frank Brito carved this figure holding out the basket of bread to emphasize Christ’s rewards for the faithful. He used simple shapes and little embellishment to show that even the most humble of gifts can save lives.