A Dead Child

Covered by a thin veil, a boy with eyes closed lies on a gleaming golden cloth. At first glance it looks like the child is sleeping—the cheeks and lips are still rosy. But from other similar paintings we know that this is a type of memorial painting of close relatives that have just died. The stubby body interacts with the folds of the veil and the cloth, and the pallor of the boy contrasts with the black background.