The Fall and Redemption of Man: The Circumcision
1515
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1515
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
The Fall and Redemption of Man: The Circumcision is a 1515 by Albrecht Altdorfer, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a group of men in armor and robes gathered around a small child. The child is lying on a low table, and one man holds a glowing object above him. The background has a dark, star-filled sky with a bright light at the top. The men look serious, and the scene feels tense. The bright light above might symbolize a divine moment, while the child’s position on the table suggests a ritual. This print is from the Renaissance, a time when artists explored religious themes with careful detail. Look up Albrecht Altdorfer to see more of his work.
