St. Anne Miniature Altarpiece: Detail, Anna Selbdritt

Swabia, circa 1490
The Cloisters, New York City

In the center, St. Anne holds a diminutive Virgin Mary in her left arm and a pudgy Christ Child in her right. Images of this type are called Anna Selbdritt, "Anne herself the third." The child is pictured naked, as was usual in the 15th century.

The kneeling figures may be the donors, but they seem to be dressed as if contemporary with Anne. They could be Elizabeth and Zechariah, the parents of St. John the Baptist.

View the entire altarpiece.
Read more about images of St. Anne.