Francisco Salzillo is one of the most recognized sculptors of the late Spanish Baroque. I was born in Murcia in 1707, the son of a Neapolitan sculptor. When his father died, he took over the management of his workshop, where he began a great activity, always within the framework of religious themes. He is best known as a sculptor of Easter steps and nativity figures, carved following the tradition of Neapolitan nativity scenes.

This artist created a childish prototype that he often repeated as a representation of the Child Jesus or an angel and that was adapted to various functions according to the iconographic circumstances. These are children with rounded faces with very accurate modeling of child anatomy and rosy complexions.

Based on these characteristic features, this piece has been attributed to Salzillo. The work presents a marked contrast and the Boy looks up with a sad expression. This makes us think that he probably held a crucifix (today lost) in his right hand and contemplated it. According to this hypothesis, this vision of passion is what would cause him to rictus of sadness. It is believed that this image belongs to the middle of the 18th century, when Salzillo was in charge of carving the weeping angels that accompany the Virgin of Sorrows of the Confraternity of Jesus of Murcia.

Images of the Child Jesus were very frequent in the oratories of women's convents, and in many cases they were dressed according to each liturgical era. The museum has a good collection that spans from the 15th to the 18th century and shows the various iconographic variants in which these images were represented, from the Child Jesus Savior to the Child Jesus of the Passion.