Circumcision c. 18th century

Editor: This is Francesco Bartolozzi's "Circumcision," made sometime around the late 18th century. It feels very staged, like a theatrical production. What kind of cultural message was Bartolozzi trying to convey with this image? Curator: It's interesting you call it staged. Consider the role of religious imagery in public life at the time. Prints like this one helped disseminate religious narratives but also reinforced social hierarchies. The composition, the architecture, even the expressions – all contribute to a sense of established authority. Notice the architecture, who do you think it is referencing? Editor: Possibly the ancient Greeks and Romans, given the columns and arches? So, the artist is trying to legitimize the event by associating it with classical authority? Curator: Exactly! And that act of legitimization served particular social and political interests within the artist’s contemporary context. This gives us insight into the public role of religious art and how it was consumed. Editor: So, it's not just a religious scene but a statement about power and legitimacy. Thanks, I see it very differently now.