La Circoncision
Parmigianino wasn't one for personal space! In this crowded Mannerist take on the Circumcision, he crams elegant, elongated figures into a tight composition, ditching the calm balance of the Renaissance for pure drama. The baby Jesus, sporting a glowing halo, sits on a green altar while an elderly priest holds a small knife, surrounded by a gallery of anxious onlookers. Mary watches from the left in her signature blue, while a basket of bunnies and doves at the bottom seem completely oblivious to the tension above. It’s a fantastic example of Mannerism’s love for complex, emotional scenes that make you look closer and closer to untangle the details.
- Technique
- Oil on panel
Location: National Gallery, London
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