19th century Spanish school.

Spanish School XIX century, following models of BARTOLOMÉ ESTEBAN MURILLO (Seville, 1617 - 1682).
"San Juanito".
Oil on canvas.
Signed J.M.A, 1830 on the back.
It has Repainting and patches on the back.
Measurements: 93 x 73 cm, 100 x 80 cm (frame).
This work follows the aesthetic precepts of the painting of the master Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, which belongs to the collection of the National Gallery in London and is dated 1660. The painter constructs in this canvas a tender image of St. John, whose sweetness and innocence contrasts with the dramatic symbolism that underlies the image. The tender lamb that accompanies him alludes directly to Christ's bloody sacrifice, symbolizing his own martyrdom. This type of infantile images of dramatic content, but sweet and touching aspect, thought precisely to move the soul of the faithful who prays before them, was very frequent in the Spanish baroque. Its most frequent form was that of the Child with the symbols of the Passion, which projects on the innocent infancy of Jesus the shadow of the cross. It will be especially in the art of the Counter-Reformation where this funereal presentiment of the Passion is expressed by means of transparent allusions.