Besnijdenis van Christus 1534 - 1535

This tiny engraving, only millimeters in scale, depicts ‘The Circumcision of Christ,’ and was created by Georg Pencz in the 16th century. Pencz was a leading figure in the German Renaissance, a period marked by religious reform and social upheaval. In this intimate scene, Pencz captures a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, a moment of religious significance. The ritual unfolds with solemnity as the figures lean in with a concentrated gaze. The composition draws viewers into the emotional landscape of faith, tradition, and identity. Pencz was briefly imprisoned in 1525 for his reformist religious beliefs. Considering the period, we might consider that the artist, through the depicted Jewish ritual, aimed to explore themes of religious identity and cultural heritage within the context of Christian theology. The emotional weight of this piece resides in its ability to address the convergence of faith, identity, and tradition during a period of profound transformation.