Religion

One hallmark of the American experience captured in the Museum's collections is the nation's broad diversity of religious faiths. Artifacts range from Thomas Jefferson's Bible to a huge "Sunstone" sculpture carved for a Mormon temple in Illinois in 1844 to a household shrine from the home of a Pueblo Indian in the 1990s. Furniture, musical instruments, clothing, cooking ware, and thousands of prints and figures in the collections have all played roles in the religious lives of Americans. The most comprehensive collections include artifacts from Jewish and Christian European Americans, Catholic Latinos, Protestant Arab Americans, Buddhist and Christian Asian Pacific Americans, and Protestant African Americans. One notable group is the Vidal Collection of carved figures known as santos and other folk religious material from the practice of Santeria in Puerto Rico.

This black and white print depicts Jesus Christ with four little children, three men and three women. All of the figures are wearing stylized flowing robes. Christ is shown placing his right hand on a boy’s head in blessing, while his left arm is gently around a young girl.
Description
This black and white print depicts Jesus Christ with four little children, three men and three women. All of the figures are wearing stylized flowing robes. Christ is shown placing his right hand on a boy’s head in blessing, while his left arm is gently around a young girl. Two of the mothers are kneeling and looking reverently at the figure of Christ. The apostle Matthew recounts an occasion when families brought their children to Jesus for his blessing, only to be rebuked by his disciples. In response, Christ said: "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these" (Chapter 19:13-14).
The print is titled in pencil script below the image as “Christ Blessing Little Children.” The image is of an 1866 Currier & Ives print entitled Jesus Blessing Little Children. This print could be a proof before letters print or a copy of the Currier & Ives print, but it is unsigned with no indication of the original artist, lithographer, or publisher.
Nathaniel Currier (1813-1888) was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and after serving an apprenticeship in Boston, he moved to New York City in 1834. In New York, he briefly partnered with Adam Stodart, but their firm dissolved within a year, and Currier went into business on his own until 1857. James M. Ives (1824-1895) was a native New York lithographer who was hired as a bookkeeper by Currier in 1852. In 1857, the two men partnered, forming the famous lithography firm of Currier and Ives, which continued under their sons until 1907.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1866-1900
depicted
Jesus Christ
artist attribution
Currier & Ives
ID Number
DL.60.2963
catalog number
60.2963
accession number
228146
This colored print depicts the Christ child in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph, and four shepherds. The shepherds are presenting gifts of a lamb and two doves. The Nativity scene is one of the most recognizable and popular images in Western art.
Description
This colored print depicts the Christ child in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph, and four shepherds. The shepherds are presenting gifts of a lamb and two doves. The Nativity scene is one of the most recognizable and popular images in Western art. The Bible contains two narratives of the birth of Jesus: Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-7. Of these, only Luke offers the details of Jesus' humble birth in a manger in Bethlehem. There is no information available about the artist, lithographer, or the publisher, however there appears to be a tiny indecipherable signature on the lower right.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
n.d.
depicted
Jesus Christ
Joseph
Mary
maker
unknown
ID Number
DL.60.2967
catalog number
60.2967
accession number
228146
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800
depicted
Jesus Christ
artist
Fresquis, Pedro
Fresquis, Pedro
ID Number
CL.67.0791
accession number
269937
catalog number
67.0791
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1990
depicted
Saint Anthony
Jesus Christ
manufacturer
Reed Candle Company
maker
Reed Candle Company
ID Number
1991.0718.01
catalog number
1991.0718.01
accession number
1991.0718

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