The Circumcision

Albrecht Dürer

1504-5

The Circumcision by Albrecht Dürer, 1504-5

Dürer crammed an entire congregation into this intimate temple scene, where the baby Jesus undergoes his circumcision ceremony. Look closely at that ornate metalwork screen in the background—it's the kind of architectural detail Dürer obsessively rendered, showing off his technical chops. The crowd of onlookers ranges from solemn priests to curious commoners, each with their own distinct face and expression. You can spot Dürer's famous 'AD' monogram tucked in the bottom right corner, his way of signing masterpieces that helped make him Europe's first celebrity artist.

Technique
woodcut
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