Image via Complex Original
The talent and skill still shines through years later in Old Master paintings, yet the Renaissance artists repeatedly did something that we balk at today—they painted children like miniaturized old men. This was probably due to the fact that the concept of childhood is a relatively recent trend in history, but in some 15th and 16th century works, it looks like the painter never laid eyes on a baby.
This trend in creepy babies with tiny heads, wrinkly faces, and terrifying expressions spawned the Tumblr Ugly Renaissance Babies. From Madonna and Child paintings to scenes from Greek mythology, we've put together our own list of The Scariest Babies in Renaissance Paintings. Even a mother couldn't love some of these babies' faces.
Virgin and Child 1
20. Virgin and Child by Rogier van der Weyden (1454)
Flemish painter van der Weyden was an international success during his time. From this work, however, we don't know why he was such a hot commodity. This baby has a face that only a mother could love, and we still can't believe that Mary has her cheek right up against this ugly child.
Madonna with Child
19. Madonna with Child by Cimabue (1284)
Cimabue was one of the painters who spearheaded Naturalism, introducing shading and depth to make his depictions look more realistic. He may not have fully developed the style by this painting, however, because the child's tiny head gives us chills.
Madonna with Child 1
18. Madonna with Child by Pietro Perugino (1470-73)
Perugino's claim to fame is that he was Raphael's teacher. In this case, the student did overcome his master. Raphael's babies never looked this sassy.
Madonna and Child 2
17. Madonna and Child by Giotto (14th century)
As one of the last artists who contributed to the Italian Renaissance, Florentine painter Giotto continued the tradition of babies with tiny, adult heads.
Newborn Baby in a Crib
16. Newborn Baby in a Crib by Lavinia Fontana (1583)
Fontana is regarded as the first female European painters. She worked alongside the Old Masters when no other woman could. Like her male counterparts, she also painted demonic children. This devilish tot looks a little too much like the kid from The Omen.
Madonna and Child 1
15. Madonna and Child by Berlinghiero (c. 1230)
Berlinghiero's works were marked by a Byzantine influence. In this work, Mary points to her child as salvation, a Byzantine trope. We see the opposite of salvation in this man-child.
Madonna of the Pear
14. Madonna of the Pear by Albrecht Durer (1512)
Durer is regarded as the most famous Northern Renaissance painter, and his works have been venerated across the ages. While he paints an angelic Virgin Mary here, her child is anything but cute.
The Madonna of Canon van der Paele
13. The Madonna of Canon van der Paele by Jan van Eyck (1436)
Van Eyck is second only to Durer in terms of the most important Norther Renaissance painters. This religious scene is part of a larger painting where Mary holds baby Jesus on her lap. Once again, he appears as a tiny old man. We're scared for that bird.
Venus and Amor
12. Venus and Amor by Hans Baldung (1524 - 1525)
Baldung was considered Durer's most gifted student. His smooth surface and bright pigments set him apart from other Old Masters. Still, this bandaged baby is just as weird as the works of his contemporaries.
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt
11. The Rest on the Flight into Egypt by Maerten van Heemskerck (c. 1530)
Van Heemskerck was a Dutch portrait painter known for his paintings of the wonders of the world. Here he paints a different kind of wonder—a baby with a six-pack. This kid is buff enough to put grown men to shame.
Virgin and Child with a Bunch of Grapes
10. Virgin and Child with a Bunch of Grapes by Lucas Cranach the Elder (1509-10)
Lucas Cranach the Elder is one of the most important German Renaissance painters along with Durer and van Eyck. A friend to Martin Luther, he painted leaders of the Reformation along with religious scenes like this one. He may have taken the grape theme too far here because his baby's head is as disturbingly round as the fruit.
Virgin and Child
9. Virgin and Child by Cornelis van Cleve (c.. 1500)
Van Cleve's version of the Madonna and Child is one of the weirdest depictions of this theme. In this work, Christ is creeping hard.
The Christ Child and the Infant John the Baptist with a Lamb
8. The Christ Child and the Infant John the Baptist with a Lamb by Bernardino Luini (c. 1507-1532)
Here, St. John the Baptist appears with Christ a lamb, the symbol of the Son of God. The balding baby looks like a creepy toy doll, one who is about to strangle a lamb.
Madonna del Voto
7. Madonna del Voto, artist unknown (c. 1270)
This painting rests in a chapel in the Siena Cathedral, a Medieval church in Italy. The strange baby in this image is only outshone by his equally creepy-looking mother.
image via
Arion Riding on a Dolphin
6. Arion Riding on a Dolphin by Francesco Bianchi (c. 1500)
According to Greek myth, the poet Arion was captured by pirates and then rescued by dolphins. Here, he doesn't look to happy to be rescued, and that creature doesn't look like any dolphin we've ever seen.
Abduction of Ganymede
5. Abduction of Ganymede by Rembrandt (1635)
In another Greek myth, Ganymede was known as the most beautiful of mortals, and he was abducted by Zeus in the form of an eagle. Rembrandt left out the beautiful part.
A Mermaid Feeding Her Young
4. A Mermaid Feeding Her Young from the workshop of Giulio Romano (1520-40)
This painting of a mermaid is not typical depiction of the sexiest mythical creature. Who knew mermaids gave birth to a litter of seven half-human children?
The Legend of St. Stephen
3. The Legend of St. Stephen by Martino di Bartolomeo (15th century)
According to European folklore, the devil is known to steal a human child and leave a changeling (mythical creature) in it's place. Here, the tall tale becomes the most terrifying painting ever.
Madonna and Child
2. Madonna and Child by Bernardino di Mariotto (1498-1566)
This golden painting is filled with religious symbolism. According to The Walters Art Museum, "the coral branch incorporated in the child's necklace was believed to ward off evil." It looks like this baby could've used something to ward off aging as well. This might be scariest the old-man-baby ever.
Nature Forging a Baby
1. Nature Forging a Baby artist unknown (1490s)
This terrifying allegorical painting of Mother Nature creating a child is enough to make you never have sex again.