Twelve year old Jesus in the Temple 1497

Albrecht Durer, a leading artist of the German Renaissance, painted this panel depicting a young Jesus debating the elders in the temple. Durer made this image at a time of great change in Europe, and this panel reflects some of that social change. Durer was a devout Christian and deeply engaged with the religious debates of his time, shortly before the reformation. In it, we see an interest in accurately portraying the world. Here we see a holy scene set in a northern European building, an example of how artists were increasingly looking at the world around them for their inspiration. Also striking, are the less common figures, such as the monkey and the dog, which suggests a shift towards a greater interest in secular themes in Renaissance art. The interpretation of art relies on understanding the social context in which it was produced. By consulting historical texts and studying the cultural values of the time, we can gain insight into the meaning and significance of artworks like this one.