Sleeping Baby, Christian Wall Art

What is painted

A small child lies curled on a soft blanket inside a round basket of woven wicker, cheeks full, eyes shut. Just above, an olive bough reaches in from the side, and two white doves perch on it, heads tilted down toward the sleeper. The background is mostly open paper with a light wash of sky blue.

There is no text on this print. The watercolor stays in beige, cream and powder blue, so it blends with neutral nursery furniture and works for a boy or a girl.

Doves, olive leaves and new life

The dove is one of the oldest Christian symbols. At the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, Matthew says the Spirit of God descended “like a dove” and lighted upon him (Matthew 3:16). That is why doves appear on baptismal fonts, christening cards and gowns.

The olive branch comes from the end of the flood in Genesis 8, when the dove returns to Noah with an olive leaf in her mouth and he knows the waters have gone down. Together, the doves and the olive speak of peace and a fresh start, exactly what a baby is.

A child in a basket also brings to mind the infant Moses, placed by his mother in a little ark of bulrushes and watched over until he was found (Exodus 2). The painting does not tell that story, but it carries the same feeling of a small life held safe.

For a nursery or a baptism

This is gentle Christian wall art for a nursery, above a crib or a dresser, and it is chosen as a baptism gift, a christening present, a baby shower gift or a welcome for a newly adopted child. Without words it stays calm and simple, and it sits happily beside a name sign or a favorite verse.

It is printed to order in the US on heavyweight archival matte paper, and shipping is free to US addresses. The print arrives unframed, with blank paper around the illustration, in sizes from 5x7 to 24x36 inches, plus metric and A sizes. A digital file is also available.

As a Christian poster, it also makes a meaningful gift for a family who has waited a long time for a child, or for a mother recovering after birth. The gentle subject and restful palette mean it will not feel out of place later in a child's bedroom or a guest room, and many parents keep it for years. Small sizes look sweet on a shelf beside a baptismal candle or a keepsake box.