[21twelve]

I have read where a young person in study (apprentice, etc.) was often drawn with very young/ female attributes to show their lower status.

In that one painting though, I never realized that five of the disciples were midgets! (Or little people as they would be called now).

[Cardhu]

I have read where a young person in study (apprentice, etc.) was often drawn with very young/ female attributes to show their lower status.

Indeed, but being placed on the right hand of the principal character seems to negate that lower status. Age was a usually given much deference in that time.