_Francesco Mantegna_ (Paduan: about 1470-1517).
Francesco was the pupil and assistant of his father Andrea,
whose style is very obvious in this and the two companion
pictures (1106, 1381). Francesco completed some work which
Andrea had left unfinished.
(For the subject see 270.) The three little pictures by Francesco (639,
1106, 1381) are all noticeable for their dainty detail, often selected
for symbolic meaning. Thus, notice here the vine with purple grapes
supported on a dead tree which hangs over the figure of Christ--an
emblem of life and death. The vine is the most ancient of all symbols
of Christ and his Church, being founded on His own words: "I am the
vine, ye are the branches." On the other side a bird is seen defending
its nest against a snake which has crept up the tree; on the left is a
beehive.