Artwork
The Christ Child with Saints Boris and Gleb

The Christ Child with Saints Boris and Gleb is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This painting presents the Christ Child flanked by Saints Boris and Gleb.
About this work
History & Provenance
The work is part of the museum’s permanent collection, suggesting acquisition from an unknown donor, though specific acquisition details are not disclosed.
The Christ Child with Saints Boris and Gleb was created circa 1600 by an anonymous Russian painter, as recorded in its catalog entry and corroborated by the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection data. The work is part of the museum’s permanent collection, suggesting acquisition from an unknown donor, though specific acquisition details are not disclosed. Its provenance is therefore limited to the museum’s stewardship, with no documented earlier owners. The painting’s dating aligns with the early‑17th‑century Russian religious tradition, reflecting the stylistic conventions of the period.
The work "The Christ Child with Saints Boris and Gleb" is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is part of the museum's collection, listed under the collection "Metropolitan Museum of Art". The sources do not provide an explicit inventory or accession number for the piece.
No exhibition history is documented in the available references. The painting is classified as a religious work dating to circa 1600, attributed to an anonymous Russian painter. Its presence in the Met's galleries reflects its status as a notable example of early Russian religious art.
Legacy
The Christ Child with Saints Boris and Gleb, dated to 1600, is recognized as a 17th‑century Russian religious painting that entered the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where its display has helped shape contemporary understanding of early Russian iconography. Its attribution to an anonymous Russian master and its inclusion in major museum displays have contributed to a sustained scholarly interest in the work’s stylistic and devotional significance, influencing later studies of Russian sacred art and its place within the broader tradition of Eastern European religious painting.
Overview
This painting presents the Christ Child flanked by Saints Boris and Gleb. The composition places the central figure of the Christ Child against a somber background, with the two saints symmetrically arranged on either side. The artwork conveys a sense of spiritual calm and reverence, utilizing a palette that includes rich gold, vibrant red, and deep blue hues to create visual interest and depth.
Subject & Meaning
The central subject of this artwork is the Christ Child, positioned prominently in the middle. He is accompanied by Saints Boris and Gleb, who stand balanced on either side. This arrangement emphasizes the Christ Child's significance while presenting the saints as reverent attendants. The depiction suggests a theme of sacred protection or intercession.
Technique & Style
The artist employs a dark background to highlight the figures, drawing the viewer's attention to the sacred subjects. A balanced and harmonious composition is achieved through the symmetrical placement of the saints around the central Christ Child. The palette is notable for its use of gold, red, and blue, which contribute to the painting's visual richness, adding both depth and textural quality to the overall image.
Artist & collection


















