The Circumcision of Christ 1605

Peter Paul Rubens painted "The Circumcision of Christ" using oil on canvas. Rubens and his workshop relied on this industrial material to translate religious narratives into grand spectacles, and the scale of the canvas is crucial. The expansiveness allows Rubens to create dynamic compositions, packed with figures caught in moments of high drama. Look at the textures he has achieved: from the smooth, luminous skin of the angels to the rougher fabrics worn by the mortal figures. Each layer of paint contributes to an overall sense of richness and depth. Rubens, as the head of a successful workshop, relied on his assistants for different parts of the painting process, embodying the economic structures that governed artistic production at the time. By examining these material aspects, we can understand the full meaning of the work, and challenge distinctions between fine art and craft.