The Circumcision 1525

Giulio Romano painted ‘The Circumcision’ in the first half of the sixteenth century, showing the biblical scene in a grand, classically inspired interior. Romano was working in Italy at a time of rising Papal power, when the Vatican was investing huge sums in art and architecture to reflect its authority. The architecture in this painting clearly reflects that influence. The columns are based on classical models, but they are exaggerated and embellished to create a sense of drama and grandeur. The figures, too, are idealized and posed in a way that recalls classical sculpture. However, the painting also reflects the social concerns of the time. The focus on the circumcision of Christ can be seen as a response to the growing Protestant Reformation, which challenged the authority of the Catholic Church and questioned the importance of its rituals. To better understand the painting we can study Papal history of the time, architectural history, and the visual culture of religious conflict. Through this kind of research, art becomes a window into a complex period of social and institutional change.