The Presentation in the Temple (The Circumcision)
1739
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1739
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a crowded scene inside an arched frame, like a stage. At the center, a woman holds a baby while a man in robes stands beside her, holding a candle. Around them, other figures—some winged, some not—reach out, point, or hold objects like staffs and books. The background is packed with swirling patterns and gold details. The baby is wrapped in cloth, and the woman looks down at it while the man lifts his hands in a gesture. The whole scene feels busy, with lots of movement and drama. This is a *woodcut* technique, where the artist carved the design into wood.
![Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple [center plate]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/ef15e741baf4b279/thumb.webp)
![The Marriage at Cana [left plate]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/22bae83d46cc40b5/thumb.webp)